Nanook of the North



Movie Poster

Nanook of the North is a 1922 silent documentary film directed by Robert J. Flaherty.  In this classic film, the story is told of Inuit Eskimo, Nanook, and his family, as they struggle to survive in the harsh conditions of Canada’s Hudson Bay Region.  This documentary was the first of its kind and describes the daily activities of hunting, fishing and the building of shelter to a group of people who have not been touched by industrial technology.

In this film, the director uses title cards.  This card is like a “pop-up” box which explains to the audience what event will be happening next in the film.  It also provides any important factual information that the director deems necessary to help the viewer understand the film better.  I have to say that I liked this way of watching a silent movie.  It kept me well informed.

After the introduction of Nanook, his wife and children, the film starts out with Nanook trying to find food for his family. The weather is freezing and the food supply has become very scarce. He comes across a group of walruses sleeping on the shoreline. After a battle with one of the walruses and its mate, he is finally able to harpoon one.  Nanook is happy.  Animals from the land and sea not only provide food for the Eskimo but also are used in the making of their clothing and fuel.

Director Flannery’s camera also captures Nanook on a seal hunt. This was definitely not an easy task and the audience continues to see the harsh terms the Eskimo endures in order to survive the elements of the Arctic.  

One of the film’s most interesting scenes to me was the making of their dwelling, the igloo.  Nanook and some of the other Eskimos start by using large pieces of snow and stacking them in a circle. Then large pieces of ice are carved with a knife and inserted into the cut out holes in the igloo walls to make windows.   Bear and deer skins are used to cover the floors and provide warmth to their home.

Unfortunately, there are some who say that Nanook of the North is not a true documentary.  Some of the scenes may lack authenticity.  Director Flannery may have staged some of Nanook’s activities especially in the hunt for the walrus and seal.

However, in the Director’s defense, I feel that it was difficult for Flannery to be completely accurate with the elements he had to work with (this being the use of one camera, no lights, and of course, the horrendous weather conditions).  Even if some of the scenes were not completely accurate, I believe that he accurately portrayed the difficulties and obstacles that the Inuit Eskimos endures.  The film also shows the audience how much Flannery respected and had a deep admiration for Nanook, his family and the Inuit Eskimos.  He truly showed the lifestyle and ideas of a completely different culture to the American audience.

In my opinion, what makes Nanook of the North a classic movie is because people from any era or age group would be fascinated to actually be able to view another way of life taking place so far from their own.