If you want to know what its like to grow up in very rural Alaska, then this is a spectacular movie. No mistaking the great actors and striking site locations as totally authentic which is enough to make the movie very much worth watching. The plot has a few problems with some ambiguity. It almost feels that the movie was too severely edited - especially at the end. I was never bored, but was wanting at the end.
6 Reviews
The Best Film to show Alaska how it actually is.
kensukeaida20 February 2012
This film is a triumph of Alaskan narrative filmmaking. Showing Alaskan Natives as they really live, including old traditions, dance, and hunting, next to cell phones, hip hop, and drugs. It doesn't get tied up on trying to show the beauty of Alaska, and neither the exoticness of it's peoples. Instead, it uses them to further it's themes and plot. Incredibly sensitive, honest, and entertaining.
While it's easy to say this is a movie about the evils of drugs, or the ability of the arctic landscape to drive one to insanity, the film gracefully dodges such easy targets and focuses on a story about a young man trying to grow up and a community dealing with a tragedy, which are much more open ended, accessible ideas. This allows those without any knowledge of Native Alaskans, or Alaska even, to become entranced by the story.
Don't let the non-pro cast turn you away, either. It is all native persons (no Asians pretending to native American), and the direction makes sure they're up to snuff to all other films by mature filmmakers.
While it's easy to say this is a movie about the evils of drugs, or the ability of the arctic landscape to drive one to insanity, the film gracefully dodges such easy targets and focuses on a story about a young man trying to grow up and a community dealing with a tragedy, which are much more open ended, accessible ideas. This allows those without any knowledge of Native Alaskans, or Alaska even, to become entranced by the story.
Don't let the non-pro cast turn you away, either. It is all native persons (no Asians pretending to native American), and the direction makes sure they're up to snuff to all other films by mature filmmakers.
Best Alaskan Film Ever?
mrs-world12 September 2018
Born and raised in Alaska, and no film I can remember has ever captured the beauty, isolation, and quiet that Andrew does. He just nails it, effortlessly. Something that no one has done.
The scenes in the home, I was standing screaming, how is it not a documentary?! Just fantastic cinematography, capturing the feeling of a family home/kitchen.
The hand-held camerawork throughout the film was beautiful and smooth. I never felt jostled or hurried, it's filmed like a ghost was present at the scene. His angles and framing were SO TERRIFIC, capturing and relating so much emotion.
You will die when you watch this film, as it calls upon so many feelings that every kid has growing up, but here it is magnified by their life in Alaska. I'd give it a hundred stars, it's one of my favourite films, it felt like a classic while I watched it the first time.
I reccomend it for anyone who is thinking about visiting Alaska, or if you are obsessed with it in general--THIS is the untold story. This is the place that tourists don't go, never see. This is the real Alaska.
The scenes in the home, I was standing screaming, how is it not a documentary?! Just fantastic cinematography, capturing the feeling of a family home/kitchen.
The hand-held camerawork throughout the film was beautiful and smooth. I never felt jostled or hurried, it's filmed like a ghost was present at the scene. His angles and framing were SO TERRIFIC, capturing and relating so much emotion.
You will die when you watch this film, as it calls upon so many feelings that every kid has growing up, but here it is magnified by their life in Alaska. I'd give it a hundred stars, it's one of my favourite films, it felt like a classic while I watched it the first time.
I reccomend it for anyone who is thinking about visiting Alaska, or if you are obsessed with it in general--THIS is the untold story. This is the place that tourists don't go, never see. This is the real Alaska.
wonderful
twincitytony11 June 2013
contains some of the best acting i have seen in 40 years bar none, some of the scenes the fear and anguish is palpable. this is a must see movie,This is done with non-professionals, its amazing. Hollywood should be in fear of the skill and naturalness of this presentation. The dialogue is perfect there is not a phony or contrived scene in the movie my hats off to the director and the talent coordinator to find the gems who are in this film. Set in the frozen north, its a dismal landcape to say the least. How long could I last in this land is something that was in the back of my mind the whole time. This is not a place for the faint of heart. You make the smallest mistake up here and your dead. You find out this when the young teenagers are discussing where to hunt.You leave this film with a new perspective on your own life
A sad story...
LaxFan9424 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I loved this film since it depicts modern-day life in Alaskan Inuit communities. But it is a sad story, especially in the way those kids lost their friend like that. I really don't know what actually caused the fight between one of the friends and that other boy. But to try and cover up his death with lies didn't get very far. Mind you, there probably wouldn't be a story to tell if it wasn't for this kind of plot. But I'm surprised that the boys got away with it for as long as they did without getting caught. Eventually, one of the boy's fathers caught on quick and found out since he sensed there were too many inconsistencies with the boys' excuses. The boys even fooled the police for a while beforehand when they were at the police station. Although it's a sad story, I found this one to be like a classic mystery where someone got killed and the perpetrators are trying to cover their tracks. Anyway, this film deserves a 9 out of 10.
Chilling: "Is he really dead?"
evening120 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This deftly crafted thriller reminds us of how life can change, or end, in an instant. And it speaks to the terrors that can build when one resists accepting responsibility.
I ask myself how I would have reacted. But why, oh why, did Qalli (Josiah Patkotak) reach for a knife? Was he afraid that the victim might hit him next with the shovel? Ah, but that would likely have been survivable. Compared to the horrific way that things turned out, no contest!
Suspense builds in the dynamic of the viewer and certain characters knowing what some of the other personages do not. I know a movie is good when I stop it periodically to get my bearings. That began for me as the boys entered the police station, and the paranoia builds from there. (As I write this, I'm remembering similar dread in my abortive attempt to watch the earlier (2007) "30 Days of Night," also set in Barrow, but in darkest winter, when the sun never rises.)
I sought out "On the Ice" for its location, now restored to its traditional name, Utqiagvik. I happen to have returned from my first trip to Alaska last week. And while Fairbanks was great, it left me curious about more remote parts of the 49th state.
We gain an interesting perspective here on local activities at "the top of the world," dropping in on a party where the guests do karaoke to indigenous rap, and, later, a "singspiration" in memory of a loved one. We also visit with Qalli as he plays cards with or sleeps over at his aka's (grandmother), who addresses him in a First Peoples tongue, while he replies in English.
An internet check reveals that Mr. Patkotak, understatedly excellent in this role, is now the real-life mayor of North Slope Borough. Now that's range!
Also turning in powerful performances are Frank Qutuk Irelan as Qalli's guilt-ridden friend Aivaaq and the actor who plays Qalli's truth-seeking father.
"I can't tell you what kind of person to be -- it's your decision," his dad tells him, perhaps reflecting sentiments of parents everywhere.
This amazing production falters slightly in its final scenes, when the unstable Aivaaq goes a little desperado. Still, this movie is stunning, with much to teach about life in the arctic and elsewhere.
I ask myself how I would have reacted. But why, oh why, did Qalli (Josiah Patkotak) reach for a knife? Was he afraid that the victim might hit him next with the shovel? Ah, but that would likely have been survivable. Compared to the horrific way that things turned out, no contest!
Suspense builds in the dynamic of the viewer and certain characters knowing what some of the other personages do not. I know a movie is good when I stop it periodically to get my bearings. That began for me as the boys entered the police station, and the paranoia builds from there. (As I write this, I'm remembering similar dread in my abortive attempt to watch the earlier (2007) "30 Days of Night," also set in Barrow, but in darkest winter, when the sun never rises.)
I sought out "On the Ice" for its location, now restored to its traditional name, Utqiagvik. I happen to have returned from my first trip to Alaska last week. And while Fairbanks was great, it left me curious about more remote parts of the 49th state.
We gain an interesting perspective here on local activities at "the top of the world," dropping in on a party where the guests do karaoke to indigenous rap, and, later, a "singspiration" in memory of a loved one. We also visit with Qalli as he plays cards with or sleeps over at his aka's (grandmother), who addresses him in a First Peoples tongue, while he replies in English.
An internet check reveals that Mr. Patkotak, understatedly excellent in this role, is now the real-life mayor of North Slope Borough. Now that's range!
Also turning in powerful performances are Frank Qutuk Irelan as Qalli's guilt-ridden friend Aivaaq and the actor who plays Qalli's truth-seeking father.
"I can't tell you what kind of person to be -- it's your decision," his dad tells him, perhaps reflecting sentiments of parents everywhere.
This amazing production falters slightly in its final scenes, when the unstable Aivaaq goes a little desperado. Still, this movie is stunning, with much to teach about life in the arctic and elsewhere.
See also
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