Inuk

Sixteen-year-old Inuk is neglected. His mother loves him but she is overwhelmed by the despairing circumstances of her life. Her alcoholism and his stepfather's abuse forces Inuk onto the bitterly cold streets of Nuuk. One morning, after finding Inuk half frozen in an abandoned car, social services intervene. The decision is made to place Inuk in foster care in Uummannaq in the far north. Inuk does not want to leave his friends in Nuuk but he has no choice.

Inuk soon finds himself living in a foster home with children and adolescents who have also been neglected. Aviaaja, the director of the home, becomes Inuk's guardian. Sensing that Inuk needs to reconnect with his past, Aviaaja hires a group of local hunters to take her and her teenage charges across the ice. The hunters reluctantly agree. They do not want company on their annual seal hunt but the money that Aviaaja offers is too tempting to refuse. The ice culture of the Arctic north is receding, modern culture is encroaching and global warming is evaporating the ice. The hunters' livelihoods and culture are threatened.

The journey is long and challenging. To survive the harsh and desolate conditions, the teenagers must adapt. They must change their attitudes and learn new skills. This is what Aviaaja hoped. Inuk finds himself paired with Ikuma. Ikuma and Inuk's relationship gradually becomes one of respect. Inuk puts his iPod aside and shows that he is willing to learn. Ikuma teaches Inuk how to control the dogs and gives him greater responsibility for the dogsled.

When Ikuma learns that Inuk is the son of Kivioq, their relationship changes. Ikuma knows what happened on the ice all those years ago. He is aware of the responsibility that he has been given and shows paternal care for Inuk as they travel towards the Bay of Seals. For Ikuma, becoming closer to Inuk is also a source of pain. Ikuma's past returns to haunt him and in a drunken rage he lashes out at Inuk for his own failings as a father. Confused and upset, Inuk runs away. He doesn't care if he lives or dies. Wracked by guilt and in need of forgiveness, Ikuma searches for Inuk and finds him. Inuk turns his back on Ikuma. Why should he follow this man's footsteps?

It takes Ikuma's near death for the two to reconcile. Inuk could not save his father when he plunged through the ice but he can save Ikuma. He drags Ikuma from the freezing water, finds shelter and nurses the hunter back to health. The others return to Uummannaq, where Aviaaja writes to Inuk's mother. Aviaaja's letter is honest but hopeful. Somewhere out on the ice with Ikuma, Inuk is not only at peace with his past, he is finding his future.

Inuk is suitable for senior secondary students undertaking:

• English
• Film, Television and New Media
• Social and Community Studies
• Study of Society

Inuk is suitable for students in Years 9 and 10 undertaking:

• English
• Media
• Studies of Society and Environment

Language: Greenlandic language with English subtitles

Length: 85 minutes