By Babajide Fadoju
Gripping drama, inspired by true events, marks directorial collaboration between Dutch and Canadian filmmakers and features acting debut of young Inuit rapper Leo Matthew Temela
“IN ALASKA,” a gripping drama co-written and co-directed by acclaimed Dutch director Jaap van Heusden and Canadian filmmaker Vinnie Karetak, will have its world premiere on September 11, 2026, as a Special Presentation at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival. The film, inspired by true events, stars Swedish multi-award-winning actor Noomi Rapace, known for her roles in the Millennium Trilogy and “Mother,” alongside newcomer Leo Matthew Temela, a young rapper from Kimmirut in Nunavut making his acting debut.
The film follows Woody, a depressed 17-year-old Inuit living in a tiny village in Alaska, who is desperate to die. Instead of killing himself, he accidentally shoots an oil pipeline and becomes a most-wanted terrorist, hunted by seasoned FBI agent Susan Tarheel, played by Rapace. The cat-and-mouse game forces Woody to flee across the Canadian border to the Inuit community where his mother grew up, where he is forced to work, fish, hunt, and confront his demons. As Tarheel gets closer, a strange maternal bond grows between the two damaged souls, and Woody begins to learn what it means to be alive.
The cast also includes Canadian actors Zorga Qaunaq (“North of North”), Yin Wang (“3 Body Problem”), Miali Buscemi (“Pour toi Flora”), and Joanassie Aupuluk. Cinematography is by Oscar-winner Martijn van Broekhuizen, with production design by Tiana P. Gordon, costume design by Carmen Thompson, and editing by Xander Nijsten.
“IN ALASKA” is produced by Marc Bary for the internationally acclaimed Dutch production company IJswater Films and Tyler Hagan for Vancouver-based Experimental Forest Films. Vinnie Karetak serves as co-producer for Nunavut-based Uuktumiaq Studios, with executive production by Toronto’s Rhombus Media. The project previously participated in the Cannes L’Atelier Co-Pro Market, the International Financing Forum TIFF, and the Venice Gap Financing Market during its development.
The film is supported by The Netherlands Film Fund, Telefilm Canada, Eurimages, Creative Europe MEDIA, Public Broadcaster EO, CoBO Fund, Creative BC, Nunavut Film Development Corp, Uvagut TV, and Crave. WTFilms is handling international sales outside of Benelux and Canada, with Elevation Pictures releasing in Canada and Gusto Entertainment distributing in Benelux.