Details
Movie Description
Avik (Jason Scott Lee), an Inuit, and Walter (John Cusack), a map maker, meet when Walter takes the tuburculosis-stricken Avik to civilization for treatment. On the journey, Avik falls in love with a biracial woman, Albertine (Anne Parillaud), but then must compete for her affections. Over the years and through great obstacles, including World War II, the two men vie for her, testing their loyalties and love.
Synopsis
When a 1920s biplane carrying British explorer Walter Russell lands near Eskimos in the arctic, Russell befriends young Avik, a Euro-Eskimo boy suffering from tuberculosis. He flies Avik to a Catholic hospital in Montreal where the boy meets Albertine, a kindred-soul and playmate, also of mixed parentage. Under the strict tutelage and watchful eye of Sister Baeauville, the two forge a friendship that evolves into puppy love. Although they share everything, young Albertine, a half Native-American half French-Canadian child learns racial self-hatred from Sister Baeauville who tells her she "doesn't have to be a savage."
After ten years of separation the lovers meet again. Albertine is a beautiful WAAF photo analyst now betrothed to Walter. Handsome Avik is an English fighter pilot. Their love is rekindled, but will they ever be reunited?
Film Notes
French actress Anne Parillaud (Albertine) and American actor Jason Scott Lee (Avik) generate chemistry as the adult lovers. Parillaud, who starred in director Luc Besson's 1991 thriller "La Femme Nikita," demonstrates her versatile and spirited talent as the young woman in love who has come-of-age. Because she didn't speak English at this point, however, her dialogue is dubbed.
Director-screenwriter Vincent Ward was born in Greytown, New Zealand and attended the Ilam School of Fine Art. Testing the directorial waters, Ward began his career with short films, many of which were critically lauded. His obvious talent made the transition to feature film production smooth. In 1984 he made "Vigil," his first feature and the first New Zealand film to be shown in competition at Cannes.
It took Ward four years to complete "The Navigator" (1988), his previous film, a stunning fantasy about several men from medieval England who travel through the earth and time. When they arrive in 20th Century Australia, they are faced with the challenge of saving their village. It's a film known for its wonderful cinematography.
Shot in Panavision.
Industry Reviews
"...A soaring story of human adventure....The best movies seem to reinvent themselves as they move along, not drawing on worn-out sources, and MAP OF THE HUMAN HEART is one of the year's best films..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (05/14/1993)
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