Atanarjuat

Goddamn, I just saw this movie and it was fucking amazing. I rented it because I am a critic whore, and I'm always interested in Aboriginal film. That being said, it sat around for a while as, good reviews or no, a three hour film is a three hour film. Nonetheless, I was riveted.
I thought it was brilliant on two levels; first, as an authentic document on Inuit life. Now, I'm kind of assuming at the authenticity, as I have never lived the traditional Inuit lifestyle, but it sure felt accurate. It had some neat details that worked into the narrative, such as the fact that women were very dependent on men for food. During the course of the story when the male and female protagonists are separated, her survival is at stake unless she takes up with another man. Very wrenching stuff.
Now, authenticity is all well and good, but I didn't rent a documentary, and sure enough the story is wonderfully satisfying on almost a fairy tale level. There is good and evil, revenge, betrayal, sacrifice, romance, redemption. But none of it feels forced or tacked on, as it is woven into Inuit culture, so it feels very real. It is simply masterful storytelling. Initially, I found the film interesting simply as a travelogue on this way of life, but I was surprised how involved I became in the story. Great stuff.