The Astro Cinema in Iqaluit was packed Monday for the first public screening of the television series North of Northa much-anticipated comedy in the region that puts many Nunavimmiut in the spotlight.
The series is a co-production of Netflix, CBC et APTNwhich was filmed entirely in Iqaluit last spring.
The story is set in the fictional community of Ice Cove, where the main character, Siaja, played by Iqaluit actress Anna Lambe, is trying to recover from a divorce.
The series was co-directed by Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril of Red Marrow Media, also known for being behind the hit series The Grizzlies.
Bringing a series like this to an international audience is something we would never have dared to believe in at first.
explique Stacey Aglok MacDonald.
Even if the series remains fiction, several aspects of the story will allow Inuit to identify with the characters, believe the directors.
I believe that many Inuit will watch the series and feel like they can recognize several people, who could be their mother, their sister or even their boss. It’s fiction, but based on life experiences!
explains Alethea Arnaquq-Baril.
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Alethea Arnaquq-Baril believes that it would have been impossible to talk about the Arctic without actually filming there.
Photo : - / Juanita Taylor
Actress Anna Lambe, who plays the lead role, says she jumped at the chance to work with these two directors, given the strength of the story.
I think people are going to be very proud and excited. I think we deserve to have such a funny product and to see ourselves being funny, because we are!
explains Anna Lambe.
The series is, according to her, a great opportunity to highlight Nunavut on the international scene.
I think sometimes people think that the Inuit no longer exist, that we are something that happened in history and that we have been erased
your Anna Lambe.
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Anna Lambe hopes the series will raise awareness about the reality of the North.
Photo : - / Juanita Taylor
Our daily lives may be different and colder, but at the end of the day, we do the same things. We all have goals, dreams and hopes. I want people to see Inuit for who they are, people with incredible and exciting stories.
A deep comedy
The series is primarily a comedy, but that doesn’t stop it from delving into more serious topics, according to director Stacey Aglok MacDonald.
Make North of North a comedy was the most authentic way to tell the story. We are a laughing people. It’s a comedy with a lot of heart
she explains.
We wanted to make a show that we wanted to watch night after night and leave people with an authentic experience, one that didn’t erase the issues of colonial trauma, but also left you feeling warm and happy
adds the director.
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Spectators filled the Astro Cinema in Iqaluit for one of two screenings of North of North on Monday evening.
Photo : - / Juanita Taylor
This is also the impression that some listeners had when leaving the room. This is the case of Ippiksaut Friesen, from Iqaluit, who attended the premiere on Monday.
It was very emotional, very funny too. There was a lot of laughter. It was hilarious. There were also several things that concern us closely. I am very grateful to have Inuit representation in this series
explains the resident.
The first two episodes of the series will appear on the networks CBC et APTN on January 7, while Netflix will stream North of North from spring 2025.
With information from Juanita Taylor and Kate Kyle