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