Solomon Uyarasuk documentary premieres to packed house in Iqaluit

A documentary about an Igloolikcircus performer who died in an RCMP cell premiered in Iqaluit yesterday to a packed house in the city's Astro Theatre.

Solfocuses on the life of Solomon Uyarasuk, whoperformedwith thecircus group Artcirq. His 2012 death in a jail cell was the subject of a recent coroner's inquest, which recommended an investigation into his death be re-opened.

The film centres on several unanswered questions surrounding Uyarasuk's death, and serves as a springboard to talk about mental health issues and suicide.

Somber mood

The atmosphere in the Astro Theatre began on a positive note, as the audience laughed at archival footage of Uyarasuk clowning around. But, that quickly gave way to dead silence, punctuated by sniffles and sobs.

The film speaks to broader issues about Nunavummiut coping with losing their loved ones to suicide,an issue that reached record levels of impactas recently as 2013.

Rapper Brian Tagalik, from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, appears in the film, speaking about how he was able to channel his own questions into his music.

"The more I wrote, the more I tackled the system, the more I tackled these impossible questions of: 'Why?'" said Tagalik. "The more I was allowed to show other people, through my voice, exactly what's happening."

A short question and answer session followed the screening, with many moviegoers praising Sol. However, one audience member took exception to the film, saying that its use of Uyarasuk's death to speak about suicide is incorrect, as not everyone believes he took his own life.

"Filmmakingis a way to look for the truth," saidMarie-Hlne Cousineau, the film's co-director and co-producer. "So that's what we setout to do. I'm not saying we did find the truth, actually, but we did explore something."

Solscreens again tonight at Iqaluit's AstroTheatre.