Natar Ungalaaq
| Natar Ungalaaq | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1959 Igloolik, Nunavut |
| Years active | 1991–present |
Natar Ungalaaq (born 1959) is a Canadian Inuit actor, filmmaker, and sculptor whose artwork is in many major collections of Inuit art worldwide. Before playing the lead roles in Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001) and Ce qu'il faut pour vivre (2008), Ungalaaq played major roles in other Canadian and American films, including Kabloonak (1995), Glory & Honor (1998) and Frostfire (1994). He is also producer and director of the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation.
He was the carving buddy of director Zacharias Kunuk before they sold their handmade objets d'art to buy their first camera gear in 1981 and start a production company based in an Inuit community that didn't even have a TV.
Natar is also a renowned carver. He began carving when he was 9 or 10 years old, using his grandfathers tools. A carving of a Sedna made of white soapstone, "Sedna with a Hairbrush 1985", is featured in the National Gallery of Canada's collection.[1]
In 2016 he made his debut as a director, codirecting the film Searchers with Kunuk.[2]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Frost Fire (TV) | Inuit |
| Trial at Fortitude Bay | Tommy | |
| 1995 | Kabloonak | Mukpullu |
| 1998 | Glory & Honor (TV) | Ootah |
| 2001 | Atanarjuat | Atanarjuat |
| 2004 | Sleep Murder (TV) | Jimmy Tarniq |
| 2006 | The Journals of Knud Rasmussen | Nuqallaq |
| 2008 | Ce qu'il faut pour vivre | Tiivii |
| 2013 | Maïna | Tadio |
Awards
Ungalaaq won the Genie Award for Best Actor at the 29th Genie Awards for his role in Ce qu'il faut pour vivre. He also won the Jutra Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the Best Actor award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival for the same performance.
In September 2009, Ungalaaq was presented with an award of distinction by the Nunavut Film Development Corporation. This award recognized Natar's body of work and his contribution to Nunavut's film community.[3]
References
- ↑ Inuit Art Quartlery- Vol 8. No 3 Fall 1993- http://www.inuitart.org/pdf/IAQ%20Articles/Tools,%20Training,%20Quarrying/Interviews/V8N3_Interview_Natar%20Ungalaq%20talks%20about%20his%20art%20&%20his%20goals.pdf
- ↑ "Nunavut directors head for the red carpet at TIFF". Nunatsiaq News, August 15, 2016.
- ↑ Nunatsiaq News- http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article_print/7998/