Toronto International Film Festival Group News Release
World Premiere of Zacharias Kunuk and Norman Cohn’s The Journals of Knud Rasmussen to Open Festival
3/8/2006 - Toronto International Film Festival®
Toronto – The 31st Toronto International Film Festival® opens September 7 with the highly anticipated world premiere Gala Presentation of THE JOURNALS OF KNUD RASMUSSEN. Directed by Zacharias Kunuk and Norman Cohn, the film follows Kunuk’s critically acclaimed success ATANARJUAT THE FAST RUNNER and explores the history of the Inuit people through the eyes of a father and daughter. THE JOURNALS OF KNUD RASMUSSEN highlights the Festival's commitment to showcasing Canada's extraordinary and diverse filmmaking talent. The Festival’s early announcement of this title immediately follows an unprecedented presence for the Festival during the global Awards season. The Toronto International Film Festival runs September 7-16, 2006.Set in and around Igloolik in 1922, THE JOURNALS OF KNUD RASMUSSEN is the story of the last great Inuit shaman, Avva, and his beautiful and headstrong daughter, Apak, who lives one foot in her father's world and the other on the verge of the future. As Avva strives to keep his family together on their path into the twentieth century, where the rise of Christianity and commerce is putting a swift end to their culture, a team of Danish scientists arrives to make record of his way of life.
"Zacharias Kunuk and Norman Cohn have created a truly visionary work of art," said Festival Co-Director Noah Cowan. "They have again redefined the scope and visual palette of Canadian film, while telling a profound and moving story. We are proud to present the world premiere of the film, and to support the efforts of these exceptional filmmakers in their presentation of this film to indigenous communities."
Prior to its screening at the Festival, THE JOURNALS OF KNUD RASMUSSEN will screen in its original language (Inuktitut) to Inuit communities within Canada and Greenland.
Zacharias Kunuk and Norman Cohn's THE JOURNALS OF KNUD RASMUSSEN is a presentation of Kunuk Cohn Productions, Igloolik Isuma Productions and Barok Film. A Canada-Denmark co-production, the film is produced by Norman Cohn, Zacharias Kunuk, Vibeke Vogel, and Elise Lund Larsen. THE JOURNALS OF KNUD RASMUSSEN stars Pakak Innukshuk, Leah Angutimarik, Neeve Uttak, Samuelie Ammaq, Abraham Ulayuruluk, Natar Ungalaaq, Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq, Sofie Danielsen, Piuaitsoq Petersen, Jakob Cedergren, Jens Jørn Spottag, and Kim Bodnia. The film is distributed by Alliance Atlantis* Motion Picture Distribution LP in Canada, SF Films in Scandinavia and Isuma Distribution International worldwide.
Passes and coupons go on sale for Visa cardholders only beginning July 10, 2006, cash sales begin July 17, 2006 – call 416-968-FILM, or click bell.ca/filmfest. The Toronto International Film Festival Group Box Office is located at Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West (Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM).
The Toronto International Film Festival is generously supported by Bell, the Government of Ontario, and Telefilm Canada
The Opening Night Gala is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Astral Media.
For further information please contact the Press Office at 416-934-3200. High resolution digital images are available upon request.