Angry Inuk

A well made documentary that covers the controversial issue of seal hunting from a largely overlooked perspective: that of the Inuit. In a region where conventional, supermarket food is either unavailable or incredibly expensive, they depend on hunting, including seal hunting, for food, and rely on the sale of sealskins for an income, enough to cover essentials like ammunition and gasoline for their snowmobiles. This precarious economy was disrupted when animal rights activists, outraged by the Atlantic baby seal hunt, succeeded in having sealskins banned in Europe. The ban caused what is described as the Inuit version of the Great Depression. Widespread poverty, forced relocation, and even an increase in suicide resulted.

The film covers the realities of seal hunting among the Inuit, simply but clearly. It explains why hunting is indispensable in this northern environment, and its significance to Inuit culture. When a seal is killed, its meat feeds not only one family, but typically is shared among the entire community. Seal hunting, including the sale of by-products like sealskin, is described as "an ethical and sustainable economy that feeds people..." We see that the sale of sealskins is, in most cases, a home business, rather than a huge, money-making industry. Individuals prepare, dry, and sell the sealskins to provide what is often the sole source of money for the family. The film follows a group of Inuit representatives as they work to publicize the suffering the sealskin ban inflicts on their people, to convince animal-rights activists that their actions have tragic consequences for the Inuit, and even address the European Union prior to a vote on the seal ban. Their efforts are often ingenious, although they admit that it is difficult to even convince Europeans to acknowledge Inuit concerns as significant, or to distinguish Inuit hunting from animal cruelty.

An interesting part of the film is a digression into cultural differences which hold the Inuit back from successful opposition. The Inuit have a strong cultural aversion to conflict and to open expressions of anger. This gives the anti-sealers a constant advantage during public demonstrations, something the Inuit representatives try to find ways around.

The film succeeds brilliantly in getting the concerns of the Inuit people across to an audience largely unfamiliar with their way of life, and possibly ignorant of how the seal ban has affected them. Their love of their northern landscape, their sense of community, their determination to preserve their way of life, are all expressed clearly, and should gain the sympathy of all but the most intractable viewers. Writer/director Alethea Arnaquq-Baril serves as guide and narrator, making a rarely heard perspective accessible to all.

As one who considers himself an animal lover and as one who has also lived almost his entire existence in urban and suburban environments, this excellent documentary was a true education for me, not only about native North American culture but about rural existence itself and how we define "subsistence". Suddenly, an empty refrigerator takes on an entirely different meaning for me, and I don't believe that I will ever see the world in the same light again, thanks to director Althea Arnaquq-Baril.

During the film, I noted how the Inuit people utilize every bit of the animals that they hunt while wasting the absolute minimum. As I watched, I noticed how the director accomplishes the exact same result by employing every frame for its maximum impact on behalf of her message and her cause. What also struck me was her deep love and dedication to her people and their way of life. This truly impressed me.

One of the director's critical points was exposing the self-interest of many political organizations as they exploit their cause, as well as their supporters, for the sake of ends that may be unrelated to their publicly stated purpose but rather to the promotion of their own political power and even their own material gain. Without unfairly singling out animal rights or animal welfare groups, I have personally experienced this deception all too many times on the part of many political organizations. It is a disturbing but valid observation, and the director is very successful in presenting her point of view.

What this film accomplishes is the very important lesson that some situations contain two very compelling arguments that oppose each other. In this case, well intentioned people may not realize how their actions, specifically in the form of an economic boycott, may seriously affect the lives and very survival of other people. The film also illustrates how people who sit on two opposing sides of an argument can find common ground and common goals, in this case working together for the health of our planet.

Spellbinding cinematography, beautifully put together and edited. A compelling story. The film explains the relationship between the Inuit people and the seal hunt, and the dishonesty inherent in the anti-seal-hunting campaigns of so-called animal rights groups. The film is not just an excellent work of art. It also raises important ethical questions. I do hope this film finds a large audience because it deserves to be seen.

Writer-producer-director-star Alethea Arnaquq-Baril offers a documentary detailing her position on the right of the Inuit to hunt seals. She shows images of her people with seals, their dependence on sealing both for food and for income. She discusses the anti-sealing movement, how they cancel events when Inuit announce counter-protests and refuse to meet with her.

Without going into the issue for or against, I found it an essay on her position, offered as a movie. It maintains a calm, rational tone throughout, but it remains a well-produced, one-sided piece.

Beautifully executed film that helped me come to grips with unintended and intended impacts of anti-seal hunt campaigns of 'southern' organizations that didn't appear to consult Inuit. Although as a Canadian, I was aware of the importance of the seal to the Inuit way of life, I had no idea of how central the seal hunt was to their economic survival. This film illustrates the hard uphill struggle of a small community of 30,000 people against animal rights organizations which continue to raise millions of dollars through pictures and dolls of cute harp seals, although that harvest was banned 30 years ago.