Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2002): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2002, Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner is a fantasy and drama film directed by Zacharias Kunuk, running about 172 minutes.

What it’s about. Based on a local legend and set in an unknown era, it deals with universal themes of love, possessiveness, family, jealousy and power. Beautifully shot, and acted by Inuit people, it portrays a time when people fought duels by taking turns to punch each other until one was unconscious, made love on the way to the caribou hunt, ate walrus meat and lit their igloos with seal-oil lamps.

Who’s in it. Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner stars Natar Ungalaaq as Atanarjuat, Sylvia Ivalu as Atuat, Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq as Oki and Lucy Tulugarjuk as Puja, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $3.8M at the box office.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner page.

If you liked it. Fans of Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.