The Journals of Knud Rasmussen

Can you tell me who you are?

I am Samueli Ammaq. I live in Igloolik. Although I was born in Sangunaniq, I just say I’m from Igloolik. I am only recently of Igloolik, but I live here.

What do you do in Iglulik? Are you a hunter?

How did you get started in the film industry?

How long have you worked at Isuma?

On and off for the past eight years.

What drew you to work at Isuma?

What does your job entail?

I'm working with JKR (The Journals of Knud Rasmussen). I‘m a script supervisor and a production assistant.

How do you juggle both roles?

My name is Michelline Ammaq. I’m the costume designer. I decide how the costume is going to be designed for the Igloolik cast.

Are there differences between men and women’s costumes?

I am Louis Uttak. I used to be known as Alianaikuluk. I bear my father's name. I was born in 1937.

What is your job title?

I am the Art Director, procuror of artifacts. Things I used to see in the past. Things like food, clothes, qulliit, igloos, many things.

You've seen all those things?

What do you think of Igloolik so far?

How do you like Igloolik so far?

Who's your character and can you describe him?

My character's name is Aua and he's a Shaman.

How often do you rehearse?

We rehearse five times a week, Monday to Friday.

How do you feel about being a main charcter?

I'm very happy because it depicts the old way of life.

Can you describe the character you're playing?

The name of my character is Apak. The father and the uncle are both Shamans and my character was also a Shaman but wasn't known to be one because she didn't show it.

When did you start rehearsing?

We started in the beginning of March, and we rehearse weekdays 9-5.

Who's your character and can you describe her?

My character's name is Urulu. I have read the script, but I'm still understanding my role. My character is a quiet person and she's also a Shaman. I'm doing a voiceover for the story that was either spoken or written for Knud Rasmussen.

Who is your character and can you describe him?

I'm playing a character named Natar and he's very helpful to his parents.

When did you start rehearsing?

We started rehearsing in March and we practice from 9-5pm.

How do you feel about being a main character?

What did you think of Atanarjuat’s success?

Who's your character and how ofter do you rehearse?

I'm playing Evaluarjuk and he's the oldest in the family. He's also a Shaman.

When did you start and how often do you rehearse?

I already signed a contract last fall to play Evaluarjuk. We started rehearsing in March.

Filmmaking in the Arctic

By Jobie Weetaluktuk

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Isuma: "Thought and imagination have no end." Paul Quassa

Production Delay

Maps are orders marching men to old places already seen
Maps conjure memories of spoil, of plunder and innocence
Maps are journeys to illusions no one has learned from
Maps are critical revisits with visions, vistas and never before seen repeats … Uqalimakkanirit

It Was Not 'Jajai-ja-jiijaaa Anymore - But 'Amen'

It was in the guise of the Holy Spirit
That they swooped down on the tundra
Single-minded and determined
To change forever the face
Of ancient Spirituals

These lawless missionaries from places unknown… Uqalimakkanirit

The strangers from Greenland sit in the snow house of Avva, a shaman.  Avva introduces his family to the visitors. The scene is tense, with silences that are awkward or watchful.  Avva puffs on his pipe.… Uqalimakkanirit

The End and the Beginning

I made a trip across the largest lake
I’ve ever seen
to where the long noses live.
There on the hill
Boulders sat
in a Talking Circle.
I walked around and gave tobacco.
They squeezed their stone-ground hands… Uqalimakkanirit

There are some films that stay with us forever, the characters alive within us, like spirit beings.… Uqalimakkanirit

An extended interview with Zacharias Kunuk conducted in Igloolik in 2004 by Joysanne Sidimus, originally printed in her book, Reflections in a Dancing Eye: Investigating the Artist's Role in Canadian Society.

We have been asked: Who is the intended audience for The Journals of Knud Rasmussen?
… Uqalimakkanirit