Natar Ungalaaq facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Natar Ungalaaq
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Ungalaaq in 2019
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Natar Ungalaaq
1959 (age 65–66) Igloolik, Nunavut, Canada
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| Years active | 1991–present |
Natar Ungalaaq (born in 1959) is an Inuk actor, filmmaker, and sculptor from Canada. His amazing artwork is displayed in many important collections of Inuit art. He is famous for his main roles in the movies Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001) and The Necessities of Life (2008).
Before these big roles, Ungalaaq also appeared in other Canadian and American films. These included Kabloonak (1995) and Glory & Honor (1998). He also works as a producer and director for the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation.
Natar Ungalaaq and director Zacharias Kunuk were good friends who loved to carve. They sold their handmade carvings to earn money. With this money, they bought their first camera equipment in 1981. They then started a film company in an Inuit community. This community did not even have a TV at the time!
Natar is also a very well-known carver. He started carving when he was about 9 or 10 years old. He used his grandfather's tools to create his art. One of his famous carvings is "Sedna with a Hairbrush" from 1985. This carving, made from white soapstone, is part of the National Gallery of Canada's collection.
In 2016, Natar Ungalaaq directed his first movie. He co-directed the film Searchers with Zacharias Kunuk.
Natar Ungalaaq's Film Roles
Natar Ungalaaq has acted in many films and TV shows. Here are some of his notable roles:
| Year | Title | Role |
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| 1994 | Frost Fire (TV) | Inuit |
| Trial at Fortitude Bay | Tommy | |
| 1995 | Kabloonak | Mukpullu |
| 1998 | Glory & Honor (TV) | Ootah |
| 2001 | Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner | Atanarjuat |
| 2004 | Sleep Murder (TV) | Jimmy Tarniq |
| 2006 | The Journals of Knud Rasmussen | Nuqallaq |
| 2008 | The Necessities of Life | Tiivii |
| 2013 | Maïna | Tadio |
| 2016 | Iqaluit | Noah |
| 2018 | The Grizzlies | Pete |
Awards and Recognition
Natar Ungalaaq has received many awards for his acting and contributions to film.
Awards for Acting
- In 2002, he won the Best Actor award at the American Indian Movie Awards. This was for his role in Atanarjuat.
- He won the Genie Award for Best Actor at the 29th Genie Awards. This award was for his performance in The Necessities of Life.
- For the same role, he also won the Jutra Award for Best Actor.
- He received the Best Actor award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Contributions to Film
- In September 2009, the Nunavut Film Development Corporation gave Ungalaaq a special award. This award recognized all his work and how much he helped the film community in Nunavut.
- In 2016, his film "Maliglutit (Searchers)" won an award. It was named Best Indigenous Language Production at the ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.
