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The Fast Runner

The Fast Runner

2001
Drama, Fantasy
2h 52m
Evil in the form of an unknown shaman divides a small community of nomadic Inuit, upsetting its balance and spirit. Twenty years pass. Two brothers emerge to challenge the evil order: Amaqjuaq, the Strong One, and Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner. (Lot 47 Films)
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The Fast Runner

2001
Drama, Fantasy
2h 52m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 60.88% from 262 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(262)
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Rated 13 Mar 2007
85
84th
It's amazing how beautiful the arctic can be
Rated 16 Sep 2009
24
10th
If this was in English, would anyone care about this stiltedly acted, badly paced, directionlessly told, idiotically written, over-long, wish-I-was-Tarkovsky soap opera?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
93rd
A thrilling Inuit masterpiece. Very exciting stuff.
Rated 06 Apr 2012
88
90th
If I had known this had such a compelling story I wouldn't have put it off for so long. While it could stand to be a little more tightly paced there are some very good characterizations here and the fable like quality of the storytelling works out very well. The chase scene in the middle is definitely the highlight, but overall I really enjoyed the way the film blended the extraordinary with the ordinary.
Rated 24 Dec 2013
43
4th
this film depicted a very specific culture and was aimed at a very narrow demographic. while interesting on an anthropological level, it lacked the archetypal storytelling that lends itself to universality. it was very difficult for me to follow, let alone care about what was going on. the film was also visually unappealing, and felt more like a low-budget tv documentary than anything else. maybe those who are familiar with its customs and legends will enjoy this film, but i certainly didn't.
Rated 07 Jan 2011
41
35th
The setting (arctic North America pre-European contact) and source material (an Inuit myth) are fascinating, unknown territory for most film audiences. The little details of life shown (EG: the formal dueling system used to settle a dispute) are interesting and of course the image of Atanarjuat being chased on foot, naked, through the snow, is unforgettable. On a technical level, the film is somewhat amateurish, and I don't think Kunuk succeeds in pulling much meaning or power from the story.
Rated 22 Oct 2007
83
96th
One of those rare films that genuinely feels like a documentary.
Rated 22 Mar 2013
62
49th
Interesting concept, god awful pacing.
Rated 28 Jan 2009
93
90th
really really really good.
Rated 11 Nov 2015
5
81st
This movie is whiter than Criticker, somehow. In all seriousness fuck that guy who called these people eskimos. I hate so many people on this site.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
88th
exciting doc-style portrait of North American Indian life. Dramatic, compelling.
Rated 06 Jan 2020
60
51st
Over long and poorly paced. This is a beautiful movie telling a fairly standard story with extremely poor acting.
Rated 09 May 2007
0
8th
It's ineptly made, it's slow, and it's THREE FRIGGING HOURS LONG, but we're all supposed to love it because it's made by Eskimos and therefore so much more pure than anything that comes from Evil, Evil Hollywood. This movie is a perfect example of why there's no money in independent films, and why people all over the world have movies that they hocked their dogs to make sitting unreleased in their garage because they can't get a distributor to save their sorry lives. Unclean! Unclean!
Rated 28 Jul 2011
75
38th
This being the first (and, as far as I know, only) feature filmed by the Inuits, many critics praised it, acknowledging, rightfully, that it portrays a world most of us will never see. But cultural fascination aside, it's a decidedly flawed film. At 161 minutes, it's not a brisk ride, and the story (an ancient legend) is sometimes confusing. The acting and directing aren't particularly strong either, but the film still has some power. It's a heartfelt work, definitely worth at least one viewing.
Rated 06 Apr 2009
45
6th
I'm certain it might be a great film. But I got so bored by this I stopped watching half way through.
Rated 02 Feb 2017
4
11th
Seriously? You're gonna drown in PC. Hopefully it's freezing there.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
90th
null
Rated 25 Mar 2012
60
17th
Very, very interesting to see the first Inuit feature film made, and, admittedly, its premise is rather unique. But it just drags on too God damn long; its painful pacing kills it for me. Watched it once, and probably will never want to do so again. But, it is worth watching just for the cultural context within it was made. MAYBE I'll appreciate it upon another watch...maybe. But I doubt it.
Rated 21 Mar 2008
64
23rd
Bravo to the Eskimos for putting together a film where there is zero film industry. It's a good plot, and the insight into their culture is rich. However, it is quite clearly an amateur production. The acting is mostly poor, the story is utterly black & white with flat characterization, and it's shot on ugly video. There isn't any distinct style or voice at work. I didn't mind watching it but it certainly isn't noteworthy and I wouldn't recommend it unless you're really interested in Eskimos.
Rated 25 Jun 2021
100
94th
I saw this movie randomly on TV, and I was unexpectedly given access to a beautiful and terrifying part of the world that I've never seen, a myth I'd never heard, a language I'd never heard, and a glimpse at a culture and way of life in an extreme environment I knew nothing about. It's low budget, but the entire territory has a smaller population than the neighbourhood I live in. What an incredible random find.
Rated 27 Jul 2021
6
55th
The simplicity of the story and vivid characterisations go a long way but I was never truly enthralled by this, as I understand so many have been. There is much to admire but there was no need for this to be three hours long.
Rated 24 Feb 2023
60
62nd
The most engaging thing to me about this movie is the sense of scale and emptiness of the artic, creating a feeling of isolation and desolation that the Inuit inhabit. While amateurish in terms of production value, I think this elevates the film in making it grounded as higher budget conventions and stylization would have made it unnecessarily "fake". I just wish the movie wasn't so boring and plodding to go through and that it had stronger emotional catharsis.

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