Final answer:
The 1922 documentary 'Nanook of the North' is set in the Canadian Arctic. It follows an Inuit family’s struggle for survival and includes scenes of traditional Inuit lifeways, bolstering its reputation as a pioneering work in documentary filmmaking.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1922 documentary Nanook of the North, directed by Robert Flaherty, is set in Canada, specifically in the Canadian Arctic. The film became an iconic example of early documentary filmmaking, despite criticism regarding some events being staged. It follows the story of an Inuit family, focusing on their daily struggles for survival in the harsh Arctic environment, which includes traveling by dogsled, kayak, hunting walrus, and building an igloo from glacier ice. Although anthropologist Franz Boas dismissed the film's relevance to anthropology, it is still recognized for its historical significance and is preserved by the Library of Congress.
In the controversial scene where Nanook and his family encounter modern instruments such as a phonograph at a Canadian trading fort, the interaction highlights the cultural divide between the Inuit way of life and Western modernity. This aspect, along with the film's depiction of the Inuit’s resilience and industriousness, contributes to the documentary's lasting impact.