Based on a local legend and set in an unknown era, it deals with universal themes of love, possessiveness, family, jealousy and power. Beautifully shot, and acted by Inuit people, it portrays a time when people fought duels by taking turns to punch each other until one was unconscious, made love on the way to the caribou hunt, ate walrus meat and lit their igloos with seal-oil lamps.
Natar Ungalaaq
as Atanarjuat
Sylvia Ivalu
as Atuat
Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq
as Oki
Lucy Tulugarjuk
as Puja
Pakak Innuksuk
as Amaqjuaq (as Pakkak Innushuk)
Madeline Ivalu
as Panikpak
Pauloosie Qulitalik
as Qulitalik / A shaman (as Paul Qulitalik)
Eugene Ipkarnak
as Sauri, the chief
Neeve Irngaut
as Uluriaq
Abraham Ulayuruluk
as Tungajuaq
Apayata Kotierk
as Kumaglak
Mary Qulitalik
as Niriuniq
