The Living Stone

The Living Stone

0h 34m 5.8/10

Overview

The Living Stone is a 1958 Canadian short documentary film directed by John Feeney about Inuit art. It shows the inspiration behind Inuit sculpture. The Inuit approach to the work is to release the image the artist sees imprisoned in the rough stone. The film centres on an old legend about the carving of the image of a sea spirit to bring food to a hungry camp. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short.

Director

John Feeney

Top Billed Cast

George Whalley

Narrator

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

2/10/2024

6/10

Much as with the ancient Egyptians for the inundation of the Nile, the Inuit people pray to their god for the safe return of the Sun after the long Arctic winter. Safely ensconced in their igloo, a family shelter heated and lit by their seal-oil fire and lamp, whilst the father carefully and skilfully carves a tiny statue of the sea spirit whom they hope will soon bless them with plenty of seals to eat and to fuel their lives. As summer arrives, the family can get out into the daylight to hunt, to play and to drink the fresh meltwater as the ice gradually retreats. This thaw allows them to take to their kayaks and fish as well as to select some more stones, washed smooth by centuries of running water, from which to make more sculptures - perhaps a bird, a bear or a seal. Their effigies are remarkably detailed and we are presented with a great variety of these delicate artworks here. As the summer gets into full swing, the tribe celebrate a young man's first catch and the longest day with their equivalent of a ceilidh before the spirit of the snowdrift arrives to drive them all back indoors. I slept in an igloo once - with battery powered lights, and it is remarkable just how warm they are even when it's -20° outside. I am not sure I'd want to spend six months in one, though!

Similar Movies

I'll be your mirror

0.0

I'll be your mirror

2021

Bronx, New York, November 2019

5.0

Bronx, New York, November 2019

2021

The Past Is a Grotesque Animal

5.9

The Past Is a Grotesque Animal

2014

Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier

0.0

Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier

1991

Counter Shot: Departure of the Filmmakers

6.7

Counter Shot: Departure of the Filmmakers

2008

Julian Schnabel: A Private Portrait

7.3

Julian Schnabel: A Private Portrait

2017

The Artist’s Garden: American Impressionism

8.5

The Artist’s Garden: American Impressionism

2017

The Art of Self-Harm

0.0

The Art of Self-Harm

2023

First Daughter and the Black Snake

5.0

First Daughter and the Black Snake

2017

They Are Sacred

0.0

They Are Sacred

2025

Sean Scully:  Art Comes from Need

0.0

Sean Scully: Art Comes from Need

2008

Being and Becoming Chua Ek Kay

10.0

Being and Becoming Chua Ek Kay

2012

Cal State Long Beach, CA, January 2020

5.0

Cal State Long Beach, CA, January 2020

2021