JKR Profiles

Can you tell me who you are? I am Samueli Ammaq. I live in Igloolik. Although I was born in Sangunaniq, I just say I’m from Igloolik. I am only recently of Igloolik, but I live here. What do you do in Iglulik? Are you a hunter?

Who are you and what is your role in the film? My name is Tooguyuk, which means “big fluffy dog”. I'm actually from Igloolik, and am Samueli Ammaq's lead dog. In the film, I am going to play the lead dog of the Greenlandic character Bosun (played by Qillaq Petersen from Qaanaaq). How have you been preparing for the role?

How long have you been a chef? I've been a chef for about 22 years. I started in my hometown of Sherbrooke, QC and I went to Iqaluit after that for about 10 years. I learned how to cook country food (caribou, seal, etc.) at Expo '86 in Vancouver in the Northwest Territories Pavillion. I learned how to cook country food over there.

How long have you been with Isuma? Since December, 2004. Only a few months. How important is the community of Igloolik to the film? It's important because all of the staff is from the community. Everything I need goes through the community. Most of the staff and qamutiks (sleds) come from the community.

How do you like Igloolik so far? I've been here many times before. Since 1998, maybe, I've come up here once a year to work and to visit friends. I have some great friends here. What does your job entail? I wear many hats. First of all I'm a sound man. I'm also doing the lighting for the interior of the sets.

How did you get started in the film industry?

How long have you worked at Isuma? On and off for the past eight years. What drew you to work at Isuma?

What does your job entail? I'm working with JKR (The Journals of Knud Rasmussen). I‘m a script supervisor and a production assistant. How do you juggle both roles?

My name is Michelline Ammaq. I’m the costume designer. I decide how the costume is going to be designed for the Igloolik cast. Are there differences between men and women’s costumes?

I am Louis Uttak. I used to be known as Alianaikuluk. I bear my father's name. I was born in 1937. What is your job title? I am the Art Director, procuror of artifacts. Things I used to see in the past. Things like food, clothes, qulliit, igloos, many things. You've seen all those things?

How did you get involved in this industry? My education is in theatre design. I worked for years in animations and expressions, but I thought it was really boring because it always looks the same; like steel and wood and dust. So I contacted the Danish film school and got into there. Ever since then I've worked in film.

What do you think of Igloolik so far?

What do you think of Igloolik so far? It's very white, very nice. I like it, it's very different. There's a lot of snow. I used to play in the snow when I was a kid, but never this much. It's like going back in time. How did you get started acting?

How do you like Igloolik so far?

What do you think of Igloolik so far? It is a great place to be. What differences are there between Qaanaaq and Igloolik?

How do you like Igloolik so far? It's okay. I am satisfied to be here in Igloolik. How is Igloolik different from your hometown, Siorapaluk (north of Qaanaaq)?

How do you like Igloolik so far? Yes, I like being here in Igloolik, I think it’s okay. How are Qaanaaq and Igloolok different? There are a lot of skidoos here and they use them very much. But people here are very kind like in Qaanaaq. How did you get involved in this project?

How do you like Igloolik so far? I like it very much, I like Igloolik and the people too. How are Qaanaaq and Igloolik different?

Who's your character and can you describe him? My character's name is Aua and he's a Shaman. How often do you rehearse? We rehearse five times a week, Monday to Friday. How do you feel about being a main charcter? I'm very happy because it depicts the old way of life.

Can you describe the character you're playing? The name of my character is Apak. The father and the uncle are both Shamans and my character was also a Shaman but wasn't known to be one because she didn't show it. When did you start rehearsing? We started in the beginning of March, and we rehearse weekdays 9-5.

Who's your character and can you describe her? My character's name is Urulu. I have read the script, but I'm still understanding my role. My character is a quiet person and she's also a Shaman. I'm doing a voiceover for the story that was either spoken or written for Knud Rasmussen.

Who is your character and can you describe him? I'm playing a character named Natar and he's very helpful to his parents. When did you start rehearsing? We started rehearsing in March and we practice from 9-5pm. How do you feel about being a main character?

What did you think of Atanarjuat’s success?

Who's your character and how ofter do you rehearse? I'm playing Evaluarjuk and he's the oldest in the family. He's also a Shaman. When did you start and how often do you rehearse? I already signed a contract last fall to play Evaluarjuk. We started rehearsing in March.

How did you get started in this industry? Actually, I started ten years ago being a production assistant and then production manager in the fiction industry in Copenhagen. Then I applied to the National Film School of Denmark and I went there for four years, so now I have the education for being a producer.

How did you get started in this industry?

How important was Atanarjuat's success to you?

How important was Atanarjuat’s success to you? I didn't expect that much success. It was the first feature film in Inuktitut, by Inuit, and I was just aiming to see what mistakes we would make and learn from them. Apparently we didn’t make any! How important is the community to make Isuma successful?