Beautiful pre contact story. I'd love to know more about the origins of the storyline, perhaps in mythology?, but it's a wonderful examination of cultures, identities, trust, relationships. Universal themes explored 'authentically' through the Innu and Inuit people of Labrador and Arctic Canada. The creators showed intense loyalty to detail. People wear hats when it's cold. Lovely dialogue between the Inuit friend that guided Maina's adaptation to the Arctic and herself. Beautiful camera-work.

This was a beautifully filmed and epic cinematic treat. What a commitment to the story of human loyalty to family and land. Check it out. Koodos to the entire 'family' who were responsible for this wonderful film. It is truly universal. The focus of this film is the daughter of the Chief and her stepbrother. Her real mother became shaman and healer - who left the tribe because her husband (the chief) took another woman. He took another woman as a nursemaid for his daughter because his wife (now shaman) could not produce enough milk to sustain his girl child. It is a tale of dreams, which includes animal protectors and future events. It involves the dream and spiritual realm in a lovely background of this real world within its stark and inspiring creation. It is an acceptance of life and death and the struggles in between.

The action takes place in Northern Québec. The Innu (Indians of the north shore of the Bay of St. Lawrence) are in constant competition against the Inuit (Eskimos of the far north) and against a harsh nature, before the arrival of the first Europeans. The landscapes are absolutely breathtaking and the splendid photography does them justice. I won't reveal the nature of the action, which is touching and yet suspenseful but I will say that the author of the original novel must have been quite familiar with the mores and habits of both groups. Kudos to the director. The actors, most of whom are amateurs, are also quite competent. I have rarely been so captivated by a film, an absolutely riveting 'must-see'. You won't regret watching it and you will at least understand why the first Frenchmen to come here, Jacques Cartier in 1534 and Samuel De Champlain in 1608, decided to stay instead of going further down south.

This movie about pre-European Innu and Inuit has adventure, fighting and romance, and the cinematography is simply amazing. I had never even heard of it before today and saw it because the movie I did go to see was sold out.Call it serendipity. The acting is good; it's a tearjerker at points, feels good and ends with a couple of new beginnings, though not for sequel purposes.I was riveted. I took a look at the audience and they were in rapt attention.Highly recommended.