twincitytony
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
David Leslie
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.
