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Far North (2007)

Director: Asif Kapadia

Time Out rating

Average user rating

7 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Those hoping to avoid the cold might want to skip director Asif Kapadia’s latest ethnographically interested mini-epic, an adaptation of an Arctic-set story by feminist Sara Maitland. The tundra is as breathtaking as the acting is solid. Michelle Yeoh and Michelle Krusiec, decked out in Inuit chic, are suitably fierce as the cursed and lonely hunter and adopted daughter. They are ever canoeing or sledding together, away from their murderous fellow man, until Sean Bean’s half-dead escapee soldier falls in their path and divides them.

It’s strange and eerie – in a bad way. It could be the Middle Ages, except for the radios and listening stations on the horizon. The politics are obscure too, with marauding groups suggestive of a fascist near-future. Themes of survival, savagery, maternalism and rivalry are unresolved. Disappointing.

Author: Wally Hammond

Time Out London Issue 2000/2001, Dec 18-31, 2008

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User reviews of this film

Jordan said...

Posted on Dec 11 2009 22:37 I honestly thought it was all going well until the end, I was massively disappointed by how the end of the movie works out, it makes very little sense, although the shots are good and acting is decent I still think they could have done better

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Svalbardian said...

Posted on Aug 14 2009 10:05 One of the worst film I have ever seen. Filmed here on Svalbard and the only highlights were seeing some people I know featuring in the movie. The dog driving is so far removed from what is reality and the mistakes in portraing life in the arctic are numerous. bad bad bad

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Peter said...

Posted on Jan 25 2009 19:16 This is a fanatastic film by a great London/hackney Director.
Need more like this.

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Burt said...

Posted on Dec 18 2008 20:33 I thought Far North was a fantastic film, beautifully shot, superbly acted and if for no other reason people should go champion and support one of the very few British film directors that is actually making well crafted, mature, thought provoking films. Go see........... it's the best thing you'll see for a long time.

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Inhabitant said...

Posted on Dec 03 2008 17:14 And the UK will finally get to see it on Boxing Day 08!!

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Inhabitant said...

Posted on Dec 03 2008 17:11 Irregardless of where you're from this film is a highly affective, beautifully shot and psychologically interesting work that creeps up on you and will not fail to stay with you for a long while after you leave the cinema.

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svalbard inhabitant said...

Posted on Jan 16 2008 14:55 I Live in Spitsbergen where the film was shot and this is one of the worst films I have ever seen! The carecters are without personallity and the story not believable.

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