Film Lens
Vanishing Point is a 2012 documentary directed by Stephen A. Smith and Julia Szucs, focusing on life in the Arctic for two communities connected by a migration from Baffin Island to Greenland. The film features narration in Inuktitut by Navarana K'avigak' Sørensen, a linguist and descendant of a shaman who led the migration in 1860. This connection to history adds depth to the portrayal of contemporary life in these remote areas.
The filmmakers spent four years producing the film, which includes footage from three hunting trips across the Arctic. It contrasts traditional lifestyles on the tundra with modern community life, while also addressing the effects of declining Arctic sea ice on families who rely on dog teams for travel. The film was co-written by Marina Endicott and produced for the National Film Board of Canada, premiering at the Calgary International Film Festival and receiving a nomination for best feature documentary at the 2nd Canadian Screen Awards.
Why Watch
- •Meet Navarana K'avigak' Sørensen, a unique Inughuit linguist.
- •See traditional hunting practices in the Arctic.
- •Find out about the impact of sea ice decline on communities.
Did You Know
•Navarana K'avigak' Sørensen is the great-great-great-niece of a Baffin Island shaman.
•The film took four years to produce.
•It premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival.
•Vanishing Point was nominated for best feature documentary at the 2nd Canadian Screen Awards.
Perfect For
Arctic cultureEnvironmental issuesIndigenous stories