Nanook of the North (1922) is a landmark silent film by Robert J. Flaherty, considered the first feature-length documentary, chronicling the life of an Inuit man named Nanook (Allakariallak) and his family in the Canadian Arctic. While praised for its depiction of survival, hunting, and daily life, it's also criticized for staging scenes and blending fact with fiction, making it a foundational but ethically complex work in documentary filmmaking.

Key aspects

Pioneering documentary: It established the documentary genre, showing that non-fiction could be commercially successful and engaging.

Subject: Follows Nanook (Allakariallak) and his family in northern Quebec, showing their struggles and resourcefulness in a harsh environment.

Content: Features hunting (sea lions, walruses), building igloos, and family life, but some scenes were staged for dramatic effect (e.g., using traditional harpoons instead of guns).

Filmmaker: Written, directed, and shot by Robert J. Flaherty, who also produced it.

Legacy: It is a cinematic milestone, preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry, but remains a subject of debate regarding its authenticity and representation of Indigenous peoples.

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