Co-Director Zacharias Kunuk writes, “First day we all leave – five boats from Ham Bay. And right away the boat, that we later lost, started to have a motor problems. But at the end of the first day we were going through the straits with moving ice, but we all camped that first night near the cabin on the island. Next day was rain, so we just camped, all five boats. On the third day we started to move again. Was a nice morning, and I started to have a problem with my motor and oil slush out. I had to be dragged to the other side on Baffin side and we all camped. Peter Arnatsiaq went up to the camp site and returned, so then we all did make it there, and all five boats camped. Next day, after resupply with oil, we started again, but my motor had the same problem, so Peter started to drag my boat. I sent two boats to the main camp we had planned to stay at, but the two boats went farther down the bay past the planned camp site. Three boats, our boat being dragged, we finally made it to the camp site, but the two other boats were not at the site. I had asked Judah Palluq to come back once the two boats got to the campsite to help us, but he never came to us. We were travelling on the shore where there is less floating ice. The next day we found out that he did try to go back to us, but we never saw him. On the fourth day of our travels, I sent Peter up the bay to find the other two boats. When he came back that’s when we found out Judah had tried to get back to us. There was so much floating ice in the area too.”
Feature (90 minutes)
Zacharias Kunuk and film crew, with filmmakers Madeline Ivalu, Susan Avingaq, Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk, head to Qikiqtaaluk (Big Island) to camp, hunt and record interviews with Elders. The journey becomes complicated by rough sea ice and boat motors breaking down. This eventually divides the group to set up camp in two different places. One of the group, Judah Palluq, against the wishes of his group, leaves to go back alone to help the people with the stranded boat. When the groups come back together the following day, they realize Judah is not with any of them, he has gone missing.
A meeting is held, and it is decided to perform a search. If Judah is not found by the next morning, the authorities will be called. Next morning the Canadian Coast Guard is called. A plane circles overhead as the crew films from the ground. Morning fades to night without any sign of Judah. Later, the Canadian Coast Guard sends a helicopter down to speak with Zacharias Kunuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk, to update the crew on the status of the search. A meeting is held among the Elders and film crew. Dephora Qaunaq, Judah Palluq’s grandmother, tells the crew that she does not blame them for the loss of her grandson and hopes that no one carries any guilt for what has happened. The other Elders speak and Peter Awa leads a prayer for Judah. While the search continues, Lucy gives a final report to the camera.
Episode 1
Zacharias Kunuk and a film crew, with filmmakers Madeline Ivalu, Susan Avingaq, Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk, head to Qikiqtaaluk (Big Island) to camp, hunt and record interviews with Elders. Despite some rough ice and motor troubles, the crew manages to set up camp in Sarliarusiq before fog comes in, keeping them landlocked. Elders tell stories when they would carry boats by sled, and how hunters would use bullet kits to reuse spent lead.
Episode 2
The weather clears, the crew packs up and continues toward Qikiqtaaluk. Boat motor troubles continue, and the groups find themselves separated. Confusion sets in as the groups set up camps in different places. One of the crew, Judah Palluq, leaves his group to help the others with motor troubles and, against the wishes of his group, he leaves alone. When the groups unite the next day, it becomes clear that Judah is not with any of them. He has gone missing. A meeting is held, they decide they will perform a search, and if Judah is not found by the next morning, the authorities will be called.
Episode 3
Judah’s grandmother, Dephora Qaunaq, and Madeline Ivalu talk about the taboo practice of “pretending to have a husband”. The Canadian Coast Guard continues their search. Later the Canadian Coast Guard sends a helicopter down to speak with Zacharias Kunuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk and update everyone on the search. A meeting is held between the Elders and the crew. Dephora Qaunaq tells the crew she does not blame them for the loss of her grandson. Elders speak and Peter Awa leads a prayer for the lost man. While the search continues, people in camp throw rocks, fish and play cards. Lucy Tulugarjuk gives a final report to the camera crew.
Episode 4
The crew packs up and returns to Igloolik, Nunavut, where they arrive at a hamlet in mourning. At the Igloolik Search & Rescue office, Zacharias Kunuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk are told about the search performed by both the Canadian Coast Guard and Igloolik Search & Rescue. Zacharias Kunuk then gives his report of the events as he remembers them. Later on, Zacharias and other members of the crew, are flown above the location where Judah Palluq went missing, and search for him one last time.