Angkuksajaujuq: The Shaman’s Apprentice is an animated adaptation of an Inuit traditional story, from the North Baffin region.
The Shaman’s Apprentice tells the story of a young shaman in training who must face her first test—a trip to the underground to visit Kannaaluk, The One Below, who holds the answers to why a community member has become ill. Facing dark spirits and physical challenges, the young shaman must trust the teachings of her grandmother and mentor, Ningiuq Angakkuq, and learn to control her fear.
This is an exciting narrative to bring to a larger audience, as it is steeped in Inuit traditional beliefs, and spirituality. Our goal is to engage a contemporary audience, but ensure the story’s authenticity is preserved. One of the challenges will be to accurately represent the northern community and time period with sufficient detail, so the audience is transported to another part of the world, and another time, and then seamlessly transition into the spirit world of Inuit traditional beliefs. This story’s cultural significance, and the creative challenge it offers to our team is what makes this project so exciting.
Credits:
Director: Zacharias Kunuk
Writers: Zacharias Kunuk, Jonathan Frantz
Producers: Neil Christopher, Nadia Mike, Zacharias Kunuk, Jonathan Frantz
Where to Watch:
https://gem.cbc.ca/media/the-shamans-apprentice/s01e01
