I always kind of resent the implication that we must give movies like these their due, like they were the only ways a genre or form could happen. The implication that there was just no other way to tell this story, it was just the time. And look if this was a different topic or executed differently I would excuse the methods a lot more as necessary and even fine as the ‘rules’ of documentary hadn’t been established yet. But this is exoticism at its finest. Flaherty’s much exalted adoration and respect of these people by figures like Ebert is just a paternalistic fascination, an awing othering. He forces them into the boxes he can conceive for them and throws out the rest. It perpetuated if not outright created stereotypes about Inuits that persist to this very day. And I’m supposed to excuse it because we think somehow no one else did or could ever get the idea to film ‘life’? No amount of craftmanship or staging can excuse the hollowness at its core. If Flaherty truly cared about these people he would tell their story, not make them out to be simpletons to be laughed at who don’t understand gramophones. How quaint. Or act as if they only know the old ways and not guns, or that Allakariallak died of starvation because it was just so rough out there, instead of tuberculosis like so many around the world. Or you know. Call him Allakariallak. But that wasn’t marketable enough. The half star is for Allakariallak and his people, who shine through in moments and charm despite it all. But the movie as a whole leaves a bad taste in my mouth, as do the efforts to excuse if not valorize its director who has two common law wives portrayed as Allakariallak‘s, that he abandoned. How can we question exploration taking place here? How much were these people compensated? Surely not enough. Nanook is a relic. Still worth examining, but for its failings as much if not more than its craft and influence.

Really wonderful. I see that this isn't a pure "documentary", but it still felt worth watching as an artifact of its time (with all the criticism that implies.) The igloo-building sequence was worth the price of admission alone.

It's such a tender and touching footage... I think it's something everyone should see.

Interesting as an artefact of its time but it’s a hard watch.