Suŋauraq/ Blue Bead

Suŋauraq/ Blue Bead is a journey of an Alaskan Iñupiaq student who carves her own life. Using Alaska Native carving traditions as a means towards self acceptance , she discovers her own vision through mask making and begins to heal from loss. Written by and Starring film minor degree student, Naaqtuuq Dommek. Produced by FLM 271 - "Let's Make a Movie" Film Class, Spring 2013. Produced and Directed by Maya Salganek.

 

 

Movie poster for Sungauraq/Blue Bead.

 

  Special Thanks

UAF Native Arts Center
Da-ka-xeen Mehner
KUAC-TV/AlaskaOne
UA Museum of the North
Angela Linn
David Boxley and Git Hoan Dance Group
Denny Mehner
UAF Technology Advisory Board
UAF Provost, Susan Henrichs

Cast

LYNN/SUNGAURAQ ...

Naaqtuuq Dommek

TAATA CHARLIE ...

Ron Brower

PROFESSOR ...

Sean Topkok

AANA HANNAH ...

Elsie Eckman

STUDENT #1 ...

Sandra Demmert

STUDENT #2 ...

Hillary Lynn Presecan

STUDENT #3 ...

Daniels Calvin

STUDENT #4 ...

Alix Connor

STUDENT #5 ...

Theresa Woldstad

STUDENT #6 ...

Marina Anderson

STUDENT #7 ...

Jacob Metoxen

Production Crew

Director/Producer ...

Maya Salganek

Writer ...

 Naaqtuuq Dommek

First Assistant Director ...

 Stephanie Sandberg

Production Designer ...

Sallis Koistinen

Camera Operator ...

Dj Tyson

Editor ...

 Shawn W.

Storyboard Artist ...

Lindsey Von Borstel

Production Audio ...

Johnny Stickman

Script Supervisor ...

 Fionna Fadum

Location Manager/Production Management ...

 Brian Wooster

2nd Unit Camera ...

 Robert “Gonzo” Gonzales and Shawn W.

Iñupiaq Translation by Ronald Brower

Original music performed by Joel Forbes and Naaqtuuq Dommek

Self-Portrait Mask carved by Da-ka-xeen Mehner Wind Masks carved by Joel Isaak

Slide show images provided with permission from the UA Museum of the North

Behind the Scenes

This video features ķƵ Iñupiaq instructor, Ronald Brower, as he speaks about the concepts of Sila and Sungauraq. Both of these elements feature prominently in the short narrative film “Blue Bead/ Sungauraq” written and starring Naaqtuuq Dommek and produced by the ķƵ class, “Let’s Make a Movie” – Film 271 during Spring 2013.