The World of Movies: Nuumioq
Written by Rachael Crawley
The World of Movies is a series that explores global cinema, drawing on films from many countries, industries and eras. This week, we confront major decisions in Greenland.
Nuumioq.
May contain spoilers.
Reportedly the first feature film shot entirely in Greenland, Nuumioq (Otto Rosing/Torben Bech, 2009) received attention around the world. Sponsored partially by Greenland’s leading freight line, and submitted to the Academy Awards in the country’s first-ever attempt, it reached many milestones in a growing national cinema.
Malik (Lars Rosing) has a pretty good life. Surrounded by friends and possibly in love, he goes through the average adventures of a young man. Hunting during the day and bar-hopping on weekends, he has plenty to keep him busy. Out of nowhere, an advanced cancer diagnosis turns his fun-loving existence into something much more serious. Greater treatment options are available in Denmark, with at least a chance of prolonged life. It is implied that neither choice is likely to cure him – and yet, he must still face the decision, and come to terms with it one way or the other.
From here, the film is mainly a collection of small moments – while much happens, there is little in the way of plot. Even more dramatic incidents are held in a certain quiet. Malik and his cousin, Mikael, travel by boat to photograph icebergs, and experience a few unusual detours. All the while, Malik is confronting big questions, but the film does not make much of them. Instead, great revelations feel organic, and difficult topics come off as regular conversation. The characters are given room to develop without being showy. The film has a slow pace, but this feels deliberate; it certainly never drags.
Nuumioq.
The visuals are quite beautiful and deftly handle Greenland’s diverse landscapes, though some scenes are a little dark. The movie goes back and forth between Danish and Greenlandic, sometimes in the same conversation, which gives the impression of Malik’s casual and tight-knit social circle. The cast generally give strong performances, especially Rosing in the lead, and Angunnguaq Larsen as Mikael. Marius Olsen also has some excellent scenes as a nearby sheep farmer. There is a lovely score, combining diegetic club music with local pieces. These elements make Nuumioq feel quite realistic, as if we are looking in on the lives of people we might know. It is rare for a film to truly pull this off.
Many of Nuumioq’s cast and crew were cinematic newcomers, which makes this achievement all the more impressive. It is not a film built on action, but it wrestles with heavy concepts and does not try to simplify them. This subtle character study gives a thoughtful account of one man’s transformation. It demonstrates that drama need not be ostentatious, and that even ordinary moments can convey a wealth of meaning.
Rachael Crawley holds a Master's Degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, and has worked with film in Canada and in Europe. She adores language and cinema, and how these subjects interact with each other.