Nanook of the North (1922)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Nanook of the North (1922) – R. Flaherty

Granddaddy of documentaries, opening that first can of worms about whether it matters that some scenes were re-enacted for the camera, whether reality changes as a function of the camera being there or not, and whether it is OK to have stage managed things (for example, so that cigarettes and other modern items were excluded). These questions lead directly to Werner Herzog. All that aside, it is fascinating to take a peek at 1920 arctic life -- family kayaking, walrus hunting, dog sled managing, igloo building.