Nanook of the North

(Robert Flaherty, US 1922, 78 min., 35mm)

From film pioneer Flaherty comes this milestone of documentary cinema, a compelling glimpse inside the Eskimo world. Looking toward the engaging style of Hollywood features, Flaherty builds drama in directing the actions of his subject family Nanook and Nyla. Insisting on take after take to get his desired effect, Flaherty at once challenges the definition of documentary, while his depiction of humankind's struggles against nature captures an undeniable truth. A new restoration from the Museum of Modern Art restores the tinting in the original release of the film more than 100 years ago.