Sikumi

On the Ice

NATIVe - Indigenous Cinema 2017

On the frozen waters off the Alaskan coast, Apuna is out hunting with his dog sled. He spots two friends on the barren horizon, heatedly fighting until one of them is fatally stabbed. As the only witness, Apuna faces a moral dilemma when the survivor begs for mercy and complicity to avoid punishment. The frank conversation between these men reflects the mindset and values of a close-knit Iñupiat community, where the struggle for survival in the Arctic yields deep social bonds.

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by Andrew Okpeaha MacLean
with Brad Weyiouanna, Tony Bryant, Olemaun Rexford USA 2008 Iñupiaq 15’ Colour

With

Brad Weyiouanna (Apuna)
Tony Bryant (Miqu)
Olemaun Rexford (Taqi)

Crew

Written and Directed by	Andrew Okpeaha MacLean
Cinematography	Cary Fukunaga
Editing	Andrew MacLean
Music	Andres Martinez
Sound Design	Bob Edwards
Sound	Rob Meyer
Assistant Director	James Rogan

Produced by

Kiuguya Productions

Photos

Andrew Okpeaha MacLean

Iñupiaq filmmaker born and raised in Alaska. His feature film debut On the Ice premiered at Sundance 2011 and won Best First Feature and the Crystal Bear in Generation 14plus at the 2011 Berlinale. His short film Sikumi premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking. Other films include Seal Hunting With Dad, The Snaring Madman, Such A Perfect Day, and When The Season Is Good: Artists Of Arctic Alaska, a feature documentary. In 2008, he was named one of 25 New Faces of Independent Film by ‘Filmmaker Magazine’.

Filmography

2005 Natchiliagniaqtuguk Aapagalu · When the Season Is Good: Artists of Arctic Alaska 2008 Sikumi 2011 On the Ice 2016 Feels Good

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2017