Curator: Jessica Winters

Sanningajuk: Inuit film program
12.09.2021
Off-site

Sanningajuk (translates to crossways / it is not straight)

With videos by Echo Henoche, ArtCirq and Asinnajaq

CLARK and the ICCA are proud to present this film program put together by emerging Inuk curator, Jessica Winters.

This screening event will be showcasing four films that dabble on the dynamic experiences of Inuit youth. Through the different films, varying aspects of Inuit youth identities will be highlighted, ranging from modern socioeconomic issues to the stories and aspects of Inuit culture that others are desperately seeking to connect with. Each piece featured relates to the repercussions of colonization, destruction of language and culture, and the yearning for cultural revitalization within youth for a healthier future. The artists featured in this screening are producing works that force us to confront histories and traumas enforced by Canada, while simultaneously working to restore aspects of culture and livelihood that was once shamed, banned and destroyed. Having seen two sides, both the dark history and the possibility of a brighter future, these artists in themselves are curating a future where Inuit are validated. This selection of films hopes to inspire other Inuit youth, and for others to provide space and opportunities for artists to continue this work.

FILMS

Shaman – 2017 – 5 min – Echo Henoche

This animated short tells the story of a ferocious polar bear turned to stone by an Inuk shaman. The tale is based on emerging filmmaker Echo Henoche’s favourite legend, as told to her by her grandfather in her home community of Nain, Nunatsiavut, on Labrador’s North Coast. Hand-drawn and painted by Henoche in a style all her own, Shaman is the first collaboration between the Labrador artist and the NFB.

Maana (Now) – 2007 – 6 min 34 s – Artcirq

A young Inuk, acknowledging the global warming and its impacts on his community, intends to reduce drastically the energy consumption of his village.

407 – 2006 – 8 min 48 s – Artcirq

407 is the first short film made by the Igloolik youth group Inuusiq, started to combat youth suicide through media and circus arts and later became Artcirq. 407 highlights the importance, in a small Arctic community, of simply saying “hello” to those we meet on the streets. This could change or even save a life.

Three Thousand – 2017 – 14 min – Asinnajaq

In this short film, Inuk artist Asinnajaq plunges us into a sublime imaginary universe—14 minutes of luminescent, archive-inspired cinema that recast the present, past and future of her

BIOS

CURATOR

Jessica Winters is a painter, printmaker, textile artist and emerging curator from Makkovik, Nunatsiavut in Newfoundland and Labrador. She got her artistic start at an early age thanks to her family of accomplished craftspeople, including grandmother Nellie Winters, a celebrated textile artist. Jessica has exhibited in groups shows, including Nunatsiavut: Our Beautiful Land at La Guilde gallery in Montreal (2019), Of Myths and Mountains (2020)and The Wish150 Newfoundland & Labrador Mosaic (2017), both at The Rooms in St. John’s, NL. In 2019, she curated Billy Gauthier: Saunituinnaulungitotluni | Beyond Bone at The Rooms.

ARTISTS

Echo Henoche is an emerging artist, animator and jeweller from Nain, Nunatsiavut, NL. She recently made her directorial debut with the animated short “Shaman” (2017), created in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada. The film was part of the official selection for the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto, ON, the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, CA, and California’s American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival in Temecula, CA. Henoche is motivated to continue creating works that represent her community.

Since its inception in 1998, Artcirq has grown into an Inuit performing arts collective  based in Igloolik, nunavut, with the mission to bridge traditional Inuit culture to modern artistic practices by creating meaningful and original work through the performing arts, music, and video. Artcirq members have created a rich body of work featured on a national and international scale, through which Inuit artists express and redefine themselves in their changing world.

Asinnajaq is the daughter of Carol Rowan and Jobie Weetaluktuk. She is from Inukjuak, Nunavik and lives in Tiohtià:ke. Asinnajaq wrote and directed Three Thousand (2017) a short sci-fi documentary. She co-curated Isuma’s presence in the ‘Canadian’ pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale. Asinnajaq’s performance video Rock Piece (Ahuriri Edition) (2018) is currently touring in art galleries and film festivals around the world.