Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, hosts its first LGBT Pride festival in 2016, marking a significant event for the local community. Filmmakers Mark Kenneth Woods and Michael Yerxa document the lives of LGBT Inuit. The film features activists Allison Brewer and Jesse Mike, among others. It discusses the historical context of homosexuality in Inuit culture, including the influence of Catholicism and the acceptance of same-sex relationships before the 1950s.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

Meet filmmaker Alethea Arnaquq-Baril.
Find out about Iqaluit's Pride festival.
See the impact of Catholicism on Inuit culture.

Did You Know

The film debuted at the Inside Out Film and Video Festival on June 3, 2016.
Iqaluit raised the pride flag during the 2014 Winter Olympics to protest anti-LGBT laws in Russia.
The film's title translates the Inuktitut words for lesbian and gay, meaning 'two soft things rubbing together' and 'two hard things rubbing together'.
Same-sex sexual activity was common among the Inuit before the 1950s.

Perfect For

LGBTQ+ historyInuit cultureCanadian documentaries

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed the documentary Two Soft Things, Two Hard Things?

Mark Kenneth Woods and Michael Yerxa directed the documentary.

When did Two Soft Things, Two Hard Things debut?

The documentary debuted at the Inside Out Film and Video Festival on June 3, 2016.

What is the significance of the title Two Soft Things, Two Hard Things?

The title comes from the Inuktitut words for lesbian and gay, which translate to 'two soft things rubbing together' and 'two hard things rubbing together', respectively.

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