Posted 12/05/09 By Brent Reaney

Through lengthy chats inside dimly lit tents and breathtaking shots on the wide-open tundra, Before Tomorrow tells the story of an Inuk elder and her grandson’s struggle to survive on an Arctic island. Based on the Danish novel of the same name, the Isuma Igloolik Productions film also artfully delivers another aspect of Inuit history; the tragic first contact with disease-carrying outsiders.

The storytelling builds on Isuma’s reputation for innovation – long shots of silence, dramatic underwater images, dialogue entirely in Inuktitut – bookended by a lengthy intro and extro set to hauntingly unforgettable music. While far removed from what the average North American understands to be feature-length cinema, watching with a patient, open mind, reveals a fascinating piece of work.

Like its predecessors, Before Tomorrow is garnering a host of awards, including Best Canadian Film following its world premiere at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. But Isuma fans might be surprised to learn the film isn’t lead by Zacharias Kunuk and Norman Cohn (though both are executive producers). Instead, it’s the feature directorial debut of Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu of Isuma’s female collective, Arnait Video Productions.

If you missed its relatively Canada-wide theatre release earlier this spring, you can still catch it starting May 22 in Ottawa and June 5 in Winnipeg. Or check it out on DVD this July.