LINK: blood & myth
Watched Blood & Myth on Hulu. I am on a true crime documentary binge these days.
Teddy Kyle Smith, an Iñupiaq actor and former Marine from Kiana, a remote Alaskan village, went from a promising talent to a fugitive after a series of violent and tragic events. First, his mother died under mysterious circumstances. Then came the attempted murder of two hunters.
In the aftermath, Smith claims he wasn’t acting of his own will. He said he was under the influence of the iñukuns—mystical “little people” from Iñupiaq mythology, who are said to live in places untouched by humans. According to him, it was these beings who shaped and influenced his actions.
The documentary explores more than just his crimes but it also looks at the intersection of cultural identity, myth, and modern life. It also highlights the struggle of Indigenous communities face in preserving their traditions and ways of storytelling in today’s world.
I found this to be interesting because I wondered if these iñukuns were like those uncontracted tribes from South America. As someone who grew up with Korean folklore and mysticism, I couldn’t help but draw parallels (if you’ve seen Kpop Demon Hunters, then you know).
Leave a Reply