Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Iglulik (Sep 24/01) - Krista Uttak watched her father, Paul Angilirq, toil over the story of Atanarjuat for two years. The noted screenwriter, who has since passed away, now watches over her, Uttak says.

Never was the feeling stronger than during the crush of hugs and handshakes at the Toronto International Film Festival. The award-winning film made its Canadian debut before 500 appreciative aficionados Sept. 13.

Days later it was named the festival's best Canadian feature film.

"People were crying and shaking the actors' hands and thanking them. It's so gratifying to see my father's hard work pay off," Uttak said of the post-screening reception.

A year into Igloolik Isuma Production's filming of "The Fast Runner" in 1998, Angilirq passed away. Two years later his wife, Amelia, who was the film's script supervisor, died. Neither saw the finished three-hour product.

People rose to their feet at Roy Thompson Hall Sept. 13 -- offering the film's cast and crew a standing ovation.

"I watched my father work on the script for two years, day and night. I can feel (their presence) all the time but that night it was really strong," Uttak said.

The film was scheduled to debut before 1,400 people on Sept. 11. In respect for the lives lost during the terrorist attacks in New York City that day, the film's screening was delayed to Sept. 13.

Director Zacharias Kunuk happily shared the limelight. "I knew what to expect. It was more (overwhelming) for the actors," Kunuk said.

Atanarjuat is the world's first Inuktitut feature-length film written and directed by and starring Inuit.

Kunuk won the Camera d'Or for the most promising director at this year's Cannes International Film Festival.

Atanarjuat also generated standing ovations at film festivals in Australia, New Zealand, Scotland and Colorado this year.

It debuts at film festivals in Vancouver and Calgary this month. However, with the advent of air-travel delays, Kunuk opted not to attend.

"I hate waiting," he said.

Video distribution deals around the world are being negotiated. Most Nunavummiut have yet to see the film.