Zacharias Kunuk (Canada)
The winner of the Camera d'or (for best first feature) at Cannes this year, Atanarjuat is a cultural milestone on many levels. The first screenplay written in the Inuktitut language, it also brings an ancient Inuit legend to life, using Inuit actors and writers and mostly native crew. Though slightly hampered by an over-long first third, the film is highly entertaining: Shot on digital video, the story follows an epic tale that has the shape of a Greek tragedy, some lively action sequences and a crash course in Inuit culture. A rivalry for tribal chief involves supernatural interference, a blood feud, adultery and treachery. Two brothers Amaqjuaq, the Strong One and Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner, live in shame since they have been displaced as the rightful inheritors of the chief's role. Atanarjuat falls in love with the woman betrothed to the usurper, Oki, so Oki challenges him to a punching contest and Atanarjuat wins. Years later, Oki and his henchman attack the two brothers as they are sleeping. In the film's most wondrous sequence, Atanarjuat races across the melting ice, naked, and ends up in a community where he recovers, and devises his return home. - L.L.

(Tues. Sept. 11, 6 p.m., Elgin; Thurs. Sept. 13, 11:15 a.m., Varsity)