It’s not something to laugh about. I know someone who was killed by Mahaha. She looks at Katie. KATIE My dad? ELDER He was found with a creepy smile on his face. There was no other explanation. You students should respect our culture and legends
Lisez l’histoire de Nicole NanordlukI’m an Inuk student currently in grade 11. I live in Repulse Bay, NU, right on the Arctic Circle. Repulse Bay is a small town; very cultural. We speak Inuktitut.
I chose to write a screenplay because a film class asked our English class to write a script for them to film. I enjoy horror movies so I chose “Mahaha” because Mahaha is an Inuit Mythological Creature that is tall, thin, and blue and tickles you until you die. I have heard about many Inuit Mythological creatures from elders and from reading about them. Many Inuit believe in them and they are a way to keep children from doing dangerous things. Many of the mythological creatures have been written about at length already so I wanted to write about one that hasn’t been written about before. I chose Mahaha because it interesting, creepy and entertaining. Hope you most enjoy my screenplay.
Scene 1 (FLASHBACK)
EXT-OUT ON THE LAND-DAY
Father is hunting by himself on foot. He is carrying a rifle. He hears ECHOING LAUGHTER behind him. He turns around something grabs his ankle and pulls him down. We hear LAUGHTER that can’t stop an ugly smiling face shows right into the camera
Scene 2
INT-SHOP-DAY
Students are preparing for a land trip. The students are Jasmine, 15, Katie, 16, Beth, 15, Brynn 17 and Jaden, 16, Dude, 17, Blake, 15. The teacher is James, and there is an elder, Rebecca. Jaden is filming the preparations.
JASMINE
So, did you stay up all night?
KATIE
Naung. I went to sleep at 3am I and I had to pack up.
Jaden puts the camera right up in their faces
JADEN
In yo’ face!
KATIE (laughs)
Stop flirting!
Jaden puts his camera on Dan, Dude and Blake
JADEN
Hey Dan, Dude Suvi?
JAMES
Jaden, filming doesn’t start until we get on the land. Come over here and help us!
Scene 3
INT- KATIES HOUSE – MORNING
Katie is getting ready at home. Katie is trying out the camera.
KATIE
Anaana ilinniavikliagiaqatunga sinitarianiatugu
GRANDMA
Inguta inututaaligi
KATIE
II
*Teacher calls
TEACHER
Katie, your late we’re leaving soon
KATIE
Anaana, qimaktaunialiqtunga
Scene 4
EXT-LAND-DAY
Two qamutiks going out on the land. Katie and Dan video tapes the scene. Katie sees something tall, thin, and blue that looks like a person far away. She turns the camera to the ski-doo and then turns back. The “something” has disappeared. She doesn’t tell anyone what she has seen.
Scene 5
EXT-LAND-DAY
Everyone has arrived at the camping site on the ice. Teacher is filming.
TEACHER
Okay guys fix the igloos while the girls make lunch
EVERYBODY
Okay!
*Guys starts building the igloos while the girls make lunch. Dan yells, making the teacher jump and drop the camera. Dan fell and hurt his ankle by carrying a block of snow. Everyone starts laughing at the teacher.
Scene 6
EXT-LAND-DAY
Boys prepare to go hunting Katie wants to join. Katie is filming.
DAN
No! Girls aren’t supposed to go hunting! They get cold easily!
KATIE
No we don’t! We girls are tough; we don’t get cold easily!
TEACHER
C’mon Katie help us with the cooking, leave the boys alone.
Katie sighs and walks over to the cooking tent.
Scene 7
INT-LAND/IGLOO-NIGHT
All students are sitting inside the igloo. The only light is from the stove and lantern. Dan is filming. Jasmine tells a story about Mahaha
JASMINE
You know Mahaha, right?
KATIE
Yea, my Anaanatiaq told me a story about him
JASMINE
Well, I’m gonna tell the story
One little girl went walking alone with her little puppy out on the tundra. She hears LAUGHTER ECHOING throughout the land she was alarmed but ignores then it goes LOUDER and LOUDER next thing you know he is right in front of you with he’s ugly smile and grabs you…
Jasmine grabs Katie
And tickles you!
The girls starts laughing, Katie just stays silent..
ELDER
It’s not something to laugh about. I know someone who was killed by Mahaha.
She looks at Katie.
KATIE
My dad?
ELDER
He was found with a creepy smile on his face. There was no other explanation. You students should respect our culture and legends.
DAN
Whoa, you’re getting all Paranormal Activity on us!
ELDER (laughing)
I don’t know what that means, but if you do see Mahaha, make sure you get him to the water. That’s the only way to get away.
TEACHER
Bed time kids!
Dan turns off his camera.
Scene 8
INT-TENT-NIGHT
Girls are in their tent talking and gossiping. Katie is disturbed by the earlier conversation.
KATIE
I’m staying with the elder
GIRLS
Your missing out..
Katie leaves the tent heads to the elder’s tent
Scene 9
INT-TENT-NIGHT
Katie walks towards the elder’s tent, reaches the tent and quietly asks if its okay to stay with her.
KATIE
Qanuingipa tavaniqatauguma?
ELDER
II qanuangi taika inniqatu igliq
Katie lays down and falls asleep
Scene 10
INT-TENT-NIGHT
Jasmine jokes around with the other girls in the tent but then they get scared because they hear FOOT STEPS outside. The flap slowly opens. Frantically, jasmine hesitates to grab something. One of the girls holds tightly on to their cameras.. then Dan shows up
DAN
ROAR !!
JASMINE
DAN you jerk !! you scared us !
Dan laughs and rejoins he’s tent
Scene 11
INT-BOY’S TENT-NIGHT
As Dan approaches his tent the girls SCREAM yelling for help. Dan Thinks they’re joking
JADEN
Hey why don’t you check out the girls?
DAN
They are just messing around!
They guys hear LAUGHTER from the girls
DAN
See? Jaden they’re just messing around
JADEN
Okay I see
Scene 12
INT-ELDER’S TENT –NIGHT
Katie wakes up from the terrifying laughs from the girls. Katie goes and checks what is wrong with them.
Katie screams in fear. All the girls are dead with creepy smiles on their faces.
KATIE
Dan!! The girls are dead!
Katie hears nothing but silence, but then she hears the guys LAUGHTER. Katie is scared but showing courage goes to check the guys tent. She sees the guys faces frozen with scared smiles and ECHOES with LAUGHTER. Katie’s face frozen from fear goes to the elders tent.
Scene 13
EXT-LAND-NIGHT
Mahaha seeks to find a survivor, sees Katie and the elder. Mahaha tries to walk towards them but slowly
ELDER
You got to get him in the water!
KATIE
How? Where?
ELDER
Down by the open ice
KATIE
Lets get on the Ski-doo drive through the open ice
They run to the Ski-doo but Mahaha is getting closer
KATIE
You got my father but you’re never gonna get me!
The Elder starts the Ski-doo Katie jumps on and head to the opening of the ice the elder and Katie makes it through the open ice but Mahaha sinks and drowns. Katie turns the camera to the ice as they’re driving away. Slowly we see the finger nails. Katie turns the camera on herself and we see the ugly smiling face … Mahaha.