Synopsis
Every January 6th, families in the Inuit community of Nain, Canada, celebrate Nalujuk Night, when eerie figures in tattered fur clothing arrive to reward the good and punish the bad.
Thrilling, Chilling, and Informative
Written and directed by Jennie Williams, Nalujuk Night is an exhilarating short documentary that explores the Labrador Inuit tradition of Nalujuk Night. On the 6th of January, the Nalujuit (eerie, masked figures) arrive to give treats to those who’ve been good. And to (quite literally) hit those who’ve been bad. Underscored by a rhythmic, pounding drum beat, Nalujuk Night brings you right into the action as it follows the Nalujuit around Nain. Aside from the occasional bit of on-screen text to contextualize the tradition, Nalujuk Night mostly just lets the event speak for itself. Some kids sing songs to the Nalujuit, and receive treats in return. Others try to run from them, hoping to avoid their punishment. But it’s all done in an atmosphere of fun.
Tonally, Nalujuk Night is a little weird. It often feels more like an arthouse horror film than a documentary. But I suppose that’s only apt given the actual tradition’s mishmash of tones. For the children of Nain, Nalujuk Night probably is both delightful and scary. And Williams absolutely captures that dichotomy here. For as unsettling as the visuals and music can be, that sense of fun prevails throughout the short. You can see it in the faces of the kids and in the body language of everyone participating. And it’s quite infectious. On the whole, Nalujuk Night is gorgeously shot and masterfully edited. And, as someone who was completely unfamiliar with this tradition before watching Nalujuk Night, I feel like I’ve learned a lot about the tradition in a really engaging way.
Rating: 4/5
Nalujuk Night is available as part of “Short Films Competition 1” at AFI Fest 2021.
Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount!
Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link!
Part-time writer, part-time theatre nerd, full-time dork.
