Lin Alluna: The Danish Director Behind “Twice Colonized”

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Steven Højlund

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Lin Alluna, the Director of "Twice Colonized"

If you’re talking about Danish filmmakers making waves internationally, Lin Alluna has earned a place in that conversation. Best known for directing Twice Colonized (2023), she took on a deeply personal and politically charged story about Inuit lawyer Aaju Peter and turned it into an acclaimed feature documentary film. With a sharp eye for storytelling and an instinct for character-driven documentaries, Alluna has established herself in international documentary filmmaking—and she’s just getting started.

  • Lin Alluna’s Breakthrough with ‘Twice Colonized’: Her 2023 documentary about Inuit lawyer Aaju Peter established her as a notable figure in international and Danish film circles.
  • Alluna’s Vision and Approach: Trained at The National Film School of Denmark, Alluna is known for emotionally honest, character-driven films that tackle complex political issues.
  • Successful Festival Run and Recognition: ‘Twice Colonized’ premiered at Sundance 2023, opened Hot Docs, and won multiple awards, affirming its impact worldwide.
  • Key Collaborators Behind the Film: The project was a team effort, including producers Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, Stacey Aglok MacDonald, Bob Moore, and production companies like Red Marrow Media.
  • Future Prospects and Impact of Alluna’s Work: As a Danish Film Directors’ Association chair and an innovative filmmaker, Alluna’s future projects are likely to continue challenging boundaries.

Director Lin Alluna’s Vision: Bringing Aaju Peter’s Fight to the Screen

After training at The National Film School of Denmark, Lin Alluna made a name for herself with documentary work that cuts deep. But Twice Colonized was the project that put her on the map. The film follows Aaju Peter, a renowned Inuit lawyer who has led a lifelong fight for Indigenous rights while confronting the whitewashing and forced assimilation she has endured.

Alluna’s approach? She doesn’t shy away from the darkness. Instead, she dives straight into Aaju Peter’s deeply personal journey, exposing the raw pain of colonization while showcasing Peter’s relentless effort to establish an Indigenous forum at the European Union.

From Sundance to the Nordic Council: Twice Colonized’s Film Festival Run

When a feature documentary film premieres at the Sundance Film Festival, people take notice. Twice Colonized made its world premiere at Sundance in 2023, then opened the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival before making its Danish premiere as the opening night film at CPH:DOX. If that wasn’t enough, it went on to snag nominations and awards across multiple film festivals, including:

  • Grand Jury Prize, World Cinema Documentary – Sundance Film Festival (Nominee)
  • Canadian Screen Award for Best Feature Length Documentary (Winner)
  • Nordic Council Film Prize (Nominee)
  • Camera Justitia Award – Movies That Matter (Winner)
  • Gimli Film Festival Grand Jury Prize (Winner)
  • Oslo Pix Film Festival Best Documentary (Winner)
  • Bodil Best Documentary (Nominee)

And that’s not even the full list.

The Collaborators: Emile Hertling Péronard, Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, Stacey Aglok MacDonald, and Bob Moore

No great documentary is made alone, and Twice Colonized had a stacked lineup of producers and collaborators who brought it to life:

  • Emile Hertling Péronard – Producer
  • Alethea Arnaquq-Baril – Inuit filmmaker and producer
  • Stacey Aglok MacDonald – Inuk producer specializing in Indigenous storytelling
  • Bob Moore – Veteran documentary producer
  • Red Marrow Media, EyeSteelFilm, and Ánorâk Film – The production companies behind the project

This a film was a team effort, amplifying Indigenous voices while ensuring Aaju Peter’s personal journey to mend her own wounds wasn’t just another forgotten story.

Conclusion and FAQs About Lin Alluna

Conclusion

Alluna isn’t just making films for the sake of it. She’s part of a new wave of Nordic filmmakers who are pushing boundaries, telling stories that actually challenge audiences, and working to change the world through film. She’s also been recognized within Denmark’s film industry, with her work earning her a spot as a chair member at the Danish Film Directors’ Association.

What’s next? Hard to say. But if Twice Colonized is any indication, Lin Alluna isn’t interested in playing it safe.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Lin Alluna best known for in her filmmaking career?

Lin Alluna is best known for directing ‘Twice Colonized’ (2023), a documentary about Inuit lawyer Aaju Peter that gained international recognition.

What themes does Lin Alluna focus on in her films?

Alluna’s films focus on emotionally honest, character-driven stories that explore complex political and social issues, particularly Indigenous rights.

How has ‘Twice Colonized’ been received at film festivals?

The film premiered at Sundance 2023, opened Hot Docs, and won several awards, including the Canadian Screen Award for Best Feature Length Documentary.

Who were the key collaborators involved in the making of ‘Twice Colonized’?

Key collaborators included producers Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, Stacey Aglok MacDonald, Bob Moore, and production companies Red Marrow Media, EyeSteelFilm, and Ánorâk Film.

What are Lin Alluna’s future prospects in filmmaking?

As a Danish Film Directors’ Association chair and an innovative filmmaker, Alluna’s future projects are expected to continue challenging boundaries and pushing for social change.

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Steven Højlund

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