Throat Song

A young Ippik runs across the tundra toward her grandmother, Beatrice Ikkidluak, and they share a throat singing moment that establishes their bond. The scene underscores a warm, musical connection to her roots. This opening contrasts with the later hardships she endures.

In Iqaluit, adult Ippik starts work as a witness assistant at the Nunavut Department of Justice. She interviews victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, bearing witness to painful stories. The job foreshadows the weight of trauma she will continually encounter.

The family puppy is tied outside and Ippik comments that the chain is too short. This small domestic moment hints at control and danger within the home. It sets up the underlying strain in her relationship with Inuusiq.

Ippik interviews Sam and her mother; Sam's mother confirms that Sam's husband killed her son during an argument. The revelation demonstrates the severity of violence the system records. The scene emphasizes the real consequences behind the testimony she helps with.

Ippik speaks with Tanner, a teenage boy who was sexually assaulted by his coach. She explains how to give testimony to the crime prosecutor, offering support despite his despair. The moment highlights the process and emotional burden of reporting abuse.

Returning home after a long day, Ippik tugs at the puppy's chain in vain to loosen it. The home environment remains oppressive and the problem persists. This domestic detail reinforces the cycle of control and fear.

Inuusiq accuses Ippik of hiding alcohol, then physically assaults her before taking part in sex. He reveals plans to go hunting for a few days, heightening her isolation. The scene marks a brutal escalation of violence in their relationship.

Ippik stumbles through a court preparation interview with a mother and her young daughter Naja, realizing the rape occurred to Naja. A flash of connection to similar trauma emerges as she confronts the scope of abuse. The moment links her current work to personal memory.

Through a flashback, Ippik is implied to have been sexually assaulted by her uncle as a child. The memory adds depth to her present trauma and explains the roots of her fear and voice. It suggests the long arc of healing she must undertake.

Interviews with victims are interlaced with shots of a young Ippik running through the tundra, culminating in a scream, and scenes of her adult self grappling with despair. The montage visually ties her personal history to the cases she handles. It builds the film's emotional tension around trauma and resilience.

Later, Ippik tries to shoot herself with a hunting rifle but hears the puppy's whining and instead shoots the chain. The moment marks a turning point toward reclaiming control and seeking safety. The presence of the puppy anchors her to life and responsibility.

Inuusiq returns to find the house empty, signaling a separation and escape from the abusive environment. This disappearance marks a new phase as Ippik regains agency. The scene leaves the marriage in a state of unresolved tension.

Ippik is shown reclaiming her voice, throat singing as she leads the puppy across the Arctic tundra. The act symbolizes healing, resilience, and a rekindling of identity rooted in her culture. The final image brings her back to where she began.