“The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat),” a ground-breaking film starring the Inuit Indians of the Artic, will be the first in a series of special public film screenings, presented by the International Indigenous Film Series at the University of New Mexico Department Of Anthropology .
Zacharias Kunuk, director and an eastern Artic Inuit, and producer Norman Cohn from Montreal , will be present to speak about the film. The screening will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, at Madstone Theater, 6311 San Mateo Blvd. NE. Tickets are $20 a person or $12 for students with ID. Proceeds from ticket sales will help create a permanent fund in support of graduate student education in anthropology at UNM.
“The Fast Runner” is based on an Inuit legend and is the first film written and acted by Inuits from the community of Igloolik. The imagery captures stunning ice landscapes as the film explores a range of human passion, jealousy and violence within their native village. The film won the Golden Camera Prize for a first-time director at the 2001 International Cannes Film Festival.
UNM will present two other films in March and April, followed by an Indigenous Filmmakers Roundtable. On Thursday, March 4, at 7 p.m. , “Mauri,” a film by director Meralta Mita, will be shown. She is the first Maori to direct a fictional film based in Maori culture. New Zealand is the setting for the film about a Maori man's return home after living in the city.
“Honey Moccasin,” a film by Shelley Niro, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. , Thursday, April 29. Niro is a Quinte Bay Mohawk. Her film reveals a fictional community of native people who are baffled by a thief who steals pow wow regalia. The theft serves as a metaphor for other kinds of cultural thievery.
Directors Mita and Niro will be present for the showing of their films. Screenings will be in the UNM Anthropology lecture hall, room 163. Tickets for each film are $12.
On Friday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. , the Indigenous Filmmakers Roundtable will be held in the Hibben Center on the UNM Campus. The discussion is free and open to the public. Three local filmmakers will be asked to consider the cultural significance and educational lessons provided by the series of films.
Beverly Singer and Ann Ramenofsky, UNM associate professors of anthropology, are organizers of the International Indigenous Film series. Singer holds a joint appointment in Native American Studies. She is an accomplished videographer and director whose research involves the application of film, photography and visual media in anthropology. Ramenofsky has conducted research on issues of change to Native American culture that occurred in the wake of European conquest and colonization.
The International Indigenous Film Series is held in conjunction with the 75 th Jubilee Celebration of the UNM Department of Anthropology. Throughout the anniversary year, the department is honoring the work of anthropologists in the Southwest. For further information on all events call 277-3027 or 277-4524.
Contact: Greg Johnson (505) 277-1816
Posted by kwentworth at January 14, 2004 04:02 PM