Inuk filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk is delving into the past for his latest feature film, now in production in Igloolik, Nunavut.

Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband) is an Inuktitut-language historical drama set in 1000 BCE in Igloolik, where a tragic circumstance leads two young lovers to enlist the help of a shaman in order to be together. It is expected to wrap on Aug. 11, the film producers told Playback Daily.

Kunuk is a director, co-writer and executive producer on the film, which is produced by Igloolik-based Kingulliit Productions.

Samuel Cohn-Cousineau and Carol Kunnuk are co-writers and producers, with Jonathan Frantz also producing. Inuk filmmaker Susan Avingaq is an executive producer on the project.

Financing for Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband) has been provided by Telefilm Canada, the Canada Media Fund, the Nunavut Film Development Corporation, the Indigenous Screen Office, federal tax credits, Kingulliit Productions, broadcaster Uvagut TV and Isuma Distribution. The film has a budget of $3.2 million.

Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband)’s main cast includes Mark Taqqaugaq, who previously appeared in Kunuk’s 2019 feature One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk, as well as Theresia Kappianaq, Hayden Angutimarik, Leah Attagutsiaq, Mark Taqqaugaq and Emma Quassa.

Kunuk’s filmography includes the 2002 drama Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. The film made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Caméra d’Or award for a first-time feature. It went on to win six Genie Awards, including Best Motion Picture, and has been regarded as one of the best Canadian films in history.

Image courtesy of Kingulliit