Throat Song

Adult Ippik works as a witness assistant at the Nunavut Department of Justice, interviewing victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She carries the weight of past abuse and the strain of an unhappy marriage, and she struggles with moments of despair as she navigates the justice system. Throat singing becomes a way for her to reclaim her voice and assert her agency, culminating in a powerful personal rebirth.

Inuusiq is Ippik's husband, depicted as abusive and with an implied problem with alcohol. He physically assaults Ippik and has sex with her, driving tension at home. His departure to hunt for a few days marks a temporary distance that may be part of a larger cycle of control.

Sam is the son whose death is confirmed by his mother as the result of his father's stabbing. His tragedy anchors the testimonies and underscores the real harm behind domestic violence.

Tanner is a teenage boy who was sexually assaulted by his coach. The interview scenes show his confusion and fear as he learns how to tell prosecutors what happened. His case highlights the vulnerabilities of young victims within the system.

Naja is the young girl whose rape is uncovered during a court preparation interview, illustrating how abuse can touch multiple generations. Her presence emphasizes vulnerability, while the process of testimony offers a path toward seeking accountability.

Grandmother is a stabilizing elder from Ippik's childhood, seen in the opening sharing throat singing. She embodies cultural continuity and provides emotional grounding for Ippik.

Uncle is implied to have sexually assaulted Ippik in her childhood, a defining source of her trauma and the film's exploration of intergenerational abuse.

Young Ippik appears in flashbacks, illustrating the origins of the trauma that shapes her adult voice and resolve.