Acting
Natar Ungalaaq
Natar Ungalaaq is a distinguished filmmaker, actor, and sculptor hailing from Igloolik, Nunavut. His artistic journey began in childhood when he used his grandparents' tools to carve, later channeling his passion into acquiring camera equipment alongside collaborator Zacharias Kunuk, leading to the establishment of Isuma Productions in Igloolik.
Ungalaaq is perhaps best known for his captivating role as Atanarjuat in the groundbreaking film *Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner* (2001), which debuted at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and earned the Camera d'Or award. In 2016, he expanded his creative repertoire by making his directorial debut with *Searchers*. Beyond filmmaking, Ungalaaq is a skilled carver, crafting stone sculptures that often reflect traditional Inuit themes and practices. His notable work, *Sedna with Hairbrush* (1985), features the goddess Sedna sculpted in white soapstone, adorned with fur to represent her hair, and holding a bone hairbrush, showcasing his unique style that minimizes negative space and captures dynamic movement.
Throughout his career, Ungalaaq has garnered numerous accolades, including the ‘Best Actor’ award from the American Indian Movie Awards in 2002 and the Genie Award for ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role’ in 2009. His film *The Necessities of Life* was shortlisted for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Ungalaaq's contributions extend to various films such as *Kabloonak* (1994) and *The Journals of Knud Rasmussen* (2006). His sculptures have been featured in significant exhibitions across Canada and are held in esteemed collections, including the National Gallery of Canada. Recently, Isuma TV was selected to represent Canada at the Venice Biennale Art Festival in 2018, highlighting Ungalaaq’s ongoing influence in the arts.
