Lindsay McIntyre’s NIGIQTUQ (The South Wind) is a breathtaking and evocative short film that invites us into the personal and painful history partially based on her Inuk grandmother’s own journey. Through a blend of stunning visuals and a deeply emotional narrative, McIntyre explores the hardships faced by a young girl and her mother, as they adjust to life in the South while grappling with the anguish of the past.

The film’s cinematography is both intimate and expansive, marked by its distinct yellow hue and light flares, to create a dreamlike aesthetic that enriches the emotional weight of the character’s journey. This tactile approach to filmmaking beautifully complements the themes of memory, displacement, and the inescapable pull of one’s heritage.

Brenda Amaklak Putulik gives an incredible performance as the mother Kumaa’naaq, with the heartbreaking letter reading scene being a particular highlight. While the dialogue is sparse, the weight of the words are deeply felt and enriched by the family’s complex and tragic history. This is not just a visual story, but a sensory one, where the film’s materiality becomes an integral part of the narrative. NIGIQTUQ won “Best Short Live Action Film” at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, and has qualified for the 2025 Oscars®.

Sophie Muller
Rating: 4.5/5