Learning from the master
Zacharias Kunuk motivates Arviat youth with visit
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
ARVIAT
Acclaimed filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk had the youthful members of the Arviat Film Society daring to dream in Arviat earlier this month.
Filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk will be bringing a group of Arviat youths to Isuma Productions in Iglulik sometime in the near future. - photo courtesy of Eric Anoee |
The Iglulik filmmaker, who won the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001 for Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, spent about two weeks in Arviat conducting workshops with the society.
Arviat Film Society member Eric Anoee said when the organization heard Kunuk was in the Kivalliq attending meetings, it took the opportunity to invite him to the community.
He said it had long been the wish of society members to have people from Isuma Productions come to Arviat to work with them, especially the youth.
"We knew it would be great to have them work with our youths on how they approach filmmaking," said Anoee.
"The young men really connected with Zack (Kunuk).
"When they sat down to edit, they were totally glued to him and his editing techniques."
"We also showed him films we had done previously and he gave us some pointers on them."
Anoee said Kunuk did quite a bit of filming while in Arviat and spent time interviewing elders.
He said the society had a few youths help him through the entire process of preparing to film, the actual filming and editing.
"Zack went on the land with a guide and he caught some fish and caribou.
"He did some filming out on the land and I'm sure we'll see some of his work on IsumaTV shortly.
"Zack really made an impression on the youth and motivated them to realize they too can become filmmakers.
"It is possible for someone from a small village to realize their dream."
Anoee said he was excited to hear Kunuk had a plan to continue working with some on the Arviat youths.
He said a number of the society's young men will be blown away by what's about to happen.
"We're hearing Zack and his team are going to invite our youth to Iglulik in the near future.
"That's really exciting news for us and it may just happen real soon.
"It would be a great experience for some of the young men in our society."
