A century of silence, one needle, and the face that started a revolution.
Inuit traditional face tattoos have been forbidden for a century, and almost forgotten. Director Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, together with long-time friend and activist Aaju Peter, is determined to uncover the mystery and meaning behind this beautiful ancient tradition. Together they embark on an adventure through Arctic communities, speaking with elders and recording the stories of a once popularized female artform. Central to the film is Arnaquq-Baril’s personal debate over whether or not to get tattood herself. With candour and humour, she welcomes us into her world, to experience firsthand the complex emotions that accompany her struggle. Past meets present in this intimate account of one woman’s journey towards self-empowerment and cultural understanding.
Direction
Arnaquq-Baril turns her own doubt into narrative gold.
Cinematography
Arctic landscapes that humble and haunt.
Writing
Elders' testimonies woven like oral scripture.
Director
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Traditional Inuit tattoos were exclusively women's practice, marking life stages and survival skills — a visual herstory erased by missionaries who deemed them 'pagan' and 'uncivilized.'
The film sparked a tattoo revival across Inuit Nunangat; women Arnaquq-Baril filmed later became sought-after practitioners, their needles now booked for years.
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