The genre of documentary filmmaking turns 100 years old today – and the very first documentary of all time was made by a Michigan filmmaker.
The documentary is called “Nanook of the North,” and it was made by a man named Robert J. Flaherty of Iron Mountain, a small town in the Upper Peninsula. The film tells the true story of an Inuk man and his family in upper Quebec, chronicling their daily struggles to find food and battle the elements.
Flaherty spent several years filming and editing the film, and it came out on June 11, 1922 – 100 years ago today. And just like audiences did a century ago, you now have a chance to see his historic masterpiece on the big screen.
The Historic Howell Theater is celebrating in style by hosting a showing of “Nanook of the North.” The showing takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, June 17, at the Historic Howell Theater, 315 E. Grand River Ave., Howell. Tickets are $10, available at the door (cash only). For information or to reserve tickets, email stuntbuddy@mac.com.
This is apparently the only showing of Robert J. Flaherty’s masterpiece anywhere in his home state this summer.
“Nanook of the North” is the real-life story of an Inuk man named Nanook and the challenges he faces with his family in northern Quebec. The film premiered in New York on June 11, 1922, and it was the first time in film history that a filmmaker had filmed real people doing real things and used the footage to tell a story. That made “Nanook of the North” the first documentary film ever made.
The June 17 presentation at the Howell Theater is being hosted by longtime Livingston County journalist and documentary filmmaker Buddy Moorehouse, who is a professor of documentary filmmaking at Hillsdale College. Moorehouse teaches about “Nanook of the North” in his documentary filmmaking class, talking about the film’s history, controversies and legacy.
In addition to the gala showing of “Nanook of the North,” the June 17 program at the Howell Theater will include a presentation by Moorehouse on the film’s history, and a Q&A session with the audience.
“ ‘Nanook of the North’ isn’t just the first documentary ever made,” Moorehouse said. “It’s also one of the greatest films ever made. It’s an absolute work of art, and when you learn the story behind it, it makes it even more fascinating. Anyone who loves and appreciates film and history will enjoy this evening immensely. I promise it!”
Moorehouse said that since Robert J. Flaherty was from Michigan, it’s appropriate to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his film in Michigan. “Nanook of the North” is rarely shown in theaters anymore, so this is a rare opportunity to see it on the big screen, just as it was presented a century ago.
“Documentaries have been around for 100 years now, and you know how popular they’ve become,” Moorehouse said. “Netflix, ESPN, Amazon, Hulu – documentaries have become probably the No. 1 form of entertainment in our society. And it all started with this film that was done by a guy from Michigan.”
And even though the film itself is 100 years old, Moorehouse said that “Nanook of the North” remains a cinematic masterpiece.
“It’s just brilliant storytelling,” Moorehouse said. “And it was an absolute phenomenon when it came out back in 1922. People couldn’t believe they were seeing an actual, real story on the big screen. And because it was filmed in such a remote, fascinating place, that made it even more compelling. It was kind of the ’Star Wars’ of its day. People would see the film, come out, and then buy a ticket to go right back in and see it again.”
The story centers around Nanook, an Inuk man who endures brutally harsh winter conditions as he searches for food and trade. Flaherty was an explorer who brought along a camera on one adventure to northern Canada, not knowing what he’d find. Several trips later, he decided to create the film.
