Art for a New Understanding Exhibition Film Screening: Maliglutit (Searchers)

Enjoy the Art for a New Understanding exhibition film screening of Maliglutit (Searchers) (2017, directed by Zacharias Kunuk and Isuma, the artist collective, 1 hour and 34 minutes).

In 1913 in the Canadian Arctic, Kuanana returns from hunting to find his wife and daughter kidnapped and sets of to find the men who did it.

Featuring an Inuit crew and actors, this film was shot on-site in Igloolik, Nunavut, in far northern Canada. Through the medium of film, film maker Zacharias Kunuk and the Isuma collective share ancient traditions and knowledge. “Our productions give an artist’s view for all to see where we came from,” says Kunuk, “what Inuit were able to do then and what we are able to do now.”

As we watch, we notice how the sets, props and clothing bring viewers back in time. Isuma engages locals to sew clothing, make harpoons and igloos and work with sled dogs.  As the older community members enact customs for the camera, younger members film the processes and learn vital skills. The actors speak Inuktitut (the Inuit language), emphasizing the vital role that language plays in the culture.

This film is part of the exhibition Art for a New Understanding: Native Voices, 1950s to Now. An audio transcript of the film is available at the Nasher Museum front desk.