Based on the 1987 novel The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera, the film stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as Kahu Paikea Apirana, a twelve-year-old Mori girl whose ambition is to become the chief of the tribe. You will never be lost to us.'". Jeffs mother and father run a plantation, but his father has become too physically weak to continue with more help, hence their plea to their son to return. The old whale remembers the days when man and animal were united and in communication, but those are long past. Coming Soon, Regal By creating an account, you agree to the She clearly asserts that tradition can hinder progress. Pais defeat of Hemi is a symbol that she is the leader for whom Koro is searching. Currently you are able to watch "Whale Rider" streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla or for free with ads on Peacock, Peacock Premium, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, Freevee. [8][9], On the World Socialist Web Site, John Braddock criticised The Whale Rider for its reactionary focus on identity politics, noting that "Whale Rider presents Maori as one people. Coming Soon. The Girl Who Could Every culture has principles that create a foundation for its belief system, and changing these principles is disdained. Kahu is the eldest great-grandchild of chieftain Koro Apirana; had she been a boy, she would have been the natural future leader of the tribe. Her leadership qualities, knowledge of Maori culture, and skill with the Taiaha cannot gain for her what they would had she been a firstborn son. Thus out of disdain for the girl, Koro refuses to show any love towards her and even refuses to conduct the traditional burial of the birth cord. The film was a coproduction between New Zealand and Germany. [4] Casting director Diana Rowan visited numerous schools to find an actress to play Pai. Whale Rider Quotes. . So, it is the typical story of a young outsider making a moving film and then vanishing. It is Pai who saves the whales and, in so doing convinces, her grandfather that she should be Chief. Lesson plans based on movies & film clips! But we can learn. Pai tells her father to return her home. It is the present day, but the director has been careful not to be specific. See if you can list at least four. A rope is seen in the episode in which the villagers try to help the beached whales return to the sea. She held the record until 2012 when Quvenzhan Wallis (at the age of 9) was nominated for that category for the film Beasts of the Southern Wild. Watch Whale Rider: The Descendants Of Paikea, Watch Whale Rider: Pai Dives Into The Water. At one point, Paikea decides to live with her father because her grandfather says he doesn't want her. They migrated approximately 1000 years ago from Hawaiiki, an unknown Polynesian island east of New Zealand. Paikea became the ruler of the people who lived on the islands. The relationship between Paikea and her grandfather is exceptionally well-written and feels remarkably real. Jeff is a once-close friend of Rawiri's; they meet in Australia, where they share an apartment and become good friends. When Koro walks away, Pai climbs onto the back of the largest whale (traditionally said to belong to the legendary Paikea) on the beach and coaxes it to re-enter the ocean. But Koro always rejected Pai just because she's a girl. He ran his plantation until being struck by a debilitating injury, and now relies on his son to take care of their land. GradeSaver, 6 April 2015 Web. She persists and fights for what she wants. A present day New Zealand community of Maori tribe people is waiting for the sign of a new chief to be born and lead the village and it's community to greatness. See Example #1 and Example #2. Pa : l'lue d'un peuple nouveau Voir film streaming complet vf en gratuit. Look at the problem from the standpoint of the victim, the perpetrator, and society as a whole. a tribe. The bull whale is an ancient whale, about 65 feet long. Later on, Kahu goes out to sea with Nanny and Rawiri, and when they reach the spot above the stone, Kahu dives into the sea and retrieves the stone. He needs to find individuals who will be able to carry the burden of leadership and navigate the Maori people through the chaotic waters of modernity. See also Assignments, Projects, and Activities for Use With Any Film that is a Work of Fiction. Our ancestor, Paikea. The bull whale leads his herd away from their most-feared predator: mankind. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. When he tells Pai that he cannot be what Koro wants, Pai says, Me neither. Two other reasons are worth mentioning. [4] Plot [ edit] Carving of Paikea at Whangara 's marae [11][12], This article is about the novel. See Drawing of Maori Face Tattoo and Modern Day Face Tattoos. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! Some of the symbolic meanings in the scene are stated by Koro while others can be recognized by the viewer. Students can examine their own concepts of gender roles as they watch entrenched sexism diminish through the course of the film. The whale mistakes Kahu for its old masterKahus ancient ancestor, Kahutia Te Rangi. In the absence of swift and agile mammalian predators, some species of birds had lost the ability to fly. Shout! Maori consciousness is shaped by reverence for ancestors and the past. Overjoyed, the whale returns to sea and it descends back into the water with the rest of the herd and Kahu in tow. In the time of the story he is in his early twenties. The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. Billy is a close friend of Rawiri's and a member of the same biker gang. He needs to get far away to fully develop as an individual and as an artist. Her koro Apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. The story follows a 12-year-old Maori girl named Paikea Apirana who struggles to earn her . If Porourangi had tried to stay in New Zealand, he would have had to constantly face Koros disapproval. He has opened his mind and abandoned his rigid adherence to the old rules. There are several possible ways to express this. By what name was Whale Rider (2002) officially released in India in English? Whale Rider (also known as The Whale Rider) is a 2002 New Zealand-German family drama film directed by Niki Caro, based on the novel of the same name by Witi Ihimaera.The film stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as Kahu Paikea Apirana, a twelve-year-old Maori girl who wants to become the chief of the tribe. He admonishes Pai against touching the largest whale because she has "done enough" damage with her presumption. By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Nanny tells Pai that her uncle, Rawiri, knows some things worth knowing . The village leader should be the first-born son, a direct patrilineal descendant of Paikea, the Whale Rider, he who rode on top of a whale (Tohora) from Hawaiki. Bless Me Ultima is a mystical realism novel in which 6 year old protagonist, Antonio Marez, begins the journey of discovering himself on the path of adolescence. with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. The patriarchal structure of the family provides grounding to the story, and the interactions between the characters are interesting, but the grand metaphysical puzzle that dominates this film isn't clear to one who is unfamiliar with the film's cultural backdrop. Set in the 1980s in Whangara, a Mori community on the eastern edge of New Zealand's North Island, the novel is a retelling of the myth of Paikea. Pa : l'lue d'un peuple nouveau regarder . But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene). All rights reserved. Pai learns the lessons on her own and knows that she is capable of being the Chief. Whale Rider introduces its protagonist, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), experiencing a trauma shared by countless other Disney heroines: her mother's death. The narrator of this time period is Rawiri, her uncle. Whale Rider is a film directed by Niki Caro (2002). Back home, Rawiri notes that Koro has become even more obsessed in his mission of finding a male successor. She leads to him the conclusion that she is Kahutias descendent, and she is the spear he cast into the future and thus she must be returned to her people so she can bring them life-giving benefit and guide them through these troubled times. What idea in this speech offers the solution to the problem faced by both Koro and the Maori as a whole? These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. He fails to be a strong presence in the life of his child. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! They include: leadership, unity with the Maori culture, and knowledge of that culture. The Maori were fierce warriors and would, at times, dine on their conquered enemies. Koro decides to begin a language school to teach the future generations the threatened Maori language, and he also beings culture classes for similar purposes. When the prejudice is gone, they can fully enjoy Paikea. Nanny orders Rawiri not to tell Koro of this strange incident, as he is not yet ready to accept Kahus special status. A man to lead a new people. The whale leads the entire pod back into the sea; Pai submerges completely underwater before being thrown off the whale's back by the tide, and the spectators fear she has drowned. Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association: New Zealand filmmaker Jonathan Brough made the documentary film Riding the Wave: The Whale Rider Story, as well as short documentary clips about Whale Rider, to accompany the DVD.[20]. Best Actress nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes stars in this moving coming-of-age story, set in a modern-day Maori village. Prejudice limits the ability of the victims to the live the lives they want and to live and to enjoy their inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In addition, in societies in which prejudice dominates, the victims can internalize the prejudice against them and come to believe that they and their group are, in fact, inferior. Social-Emotional Learning He is also skilled in the art of fighting with war sticks, which in the movie is a symbol for being able to be a Maori chief. Although Pai works hard to earn Koros respect, she is rebuffed each time she tries to master an activity traditionally reserved for males. Pai confidently declares she'll find it and dives into the water. If Pai had a brother, he would become chief, but her only brother, her twin, died at birth, along with their mother. The women carry on with their lives accepting the men, yet criticizing the mens thinking. Links to the Internet Cinemark Overall, I liked Whale Rider, but I don't think I fully got it. Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro. 12. [5], The Whale Rider has been a worldwide bestseller, and is the most-translated work by a New Zealand author. The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Koro leads a cultural school for the village's first-born boys, hoping to find a new leader. The Maori found them to be easy prey and quickly killed them off. The film received critical acclaim and Castle-Hughes's performance won rave reviews. Despite their joint efforts, the rope breaks and they walk away exhausted. Menu. But he knew the ancient ones were there for him so he called out to them to lift him up and give him strength. The time is now. The movie was based on the novel, The Whale Rider by Witi Tame Ihimaera. these scenes. Nanny is connected in lineage to Muriwai, a brave, independent ancestress, famous for her strength. Because sometimes, even if youre the leader and you need to be strong, you can get tired like our ancestor Paikea when he was lost at sea and he couldnt find the land and he probably wanted to die. One of the students, Hemi, is also sympathetic towards her. Pai is originally born a twin, but her twin brother and her mother died during childbirth. Cinemark This whale rider casts spears as life-giving objects to the islands, but one spear he casts 1000 years into the future, which is the time of the storys young heroine Kahu. She respects and loves both her grandfather and Maori tribal traditions. The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth: Season 8, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 1, Link to Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Link to The Most Anticipated TV & Streaming Shows of March 2023. She does so by doing what Nanny and Rawiri find extremely amazing: Kahu appears to communicate with dolphins and other sea creatures, and through their aid she is able to retrieve the stone. The book "The Whale Rider" by Witi Ihimaera is about a girl named Kahu and is in line to becoming chief in her tribe but greatly discouraged by her grandfather . Though the film brims with authenticity, it is almost too authentic. Back home he cracks under all the pressure and weeps. Then a pod of whales, an animal revered by the Maori, beaches itself on the sand near the tribes home. Rua-Tapu was the son of the Chief and a slave woman, while Paikea and the Chiefs other sons were born to women from aristocratic families. Such is the case with Keisha Castle Hughes. Ultimately, all the dedicated efforts of Rawiri, his friends, Nanny, and all the other locals fail and all of the whales perish on the beach. The message is clear and requires no discussion. In this, he is like Paikea who cannot be a chief simply because of her birth: she is a woman. After students have seen the film, engage the class in a discussion about the themes of the story. Viewers also learn that Uncle Rawiri was once a champion with this traditional Maori way of fighting, although now he appears to be lazy, fat, and a user of drugs and alcohol. This link will take you to a video of the scene from the movie in which a karanga is called and answered as students are welcomed to the opening of their new school. Pai, in an attempt to bridge the rift that has formed, invites Koro to be her guest of honour at a concert of Mori chants that her school is putting on. However, if you can relate the situation of Paikea or the grandfather to a struggle being waged by someone your child knows, it would be worthwhile to highlight the connection with a comment. Hemis father is another. See Assignments, Projects & Activities. This symbol can also be seen as representing his inability to see the strengths of Pais character and to foresee the best path for the tribe to take in the future. The focus shifts to a herd of whales. There are voice overs explaining the culture in which the film is set, but I spent some of the film lost about the relationship between the protagonist and the legend she's supposed to fulfill. There is no reason he should not be chief. Worksheet for Cinematic and Theatrical Elements and Their Effects. Setting. It is leading its herd in search of safer waters, but at the same time it struggles to come to terms with its deep love for the ancient whale rider, now long dead, who once had been its dearest companion. 4. A few years pass in this way. It was assembled from parts of previous supercontinents by the Late Precambrian time, some 600 million years ago. Eventually this racism, combined with Rawiris desire to see home again impel him to leave Papua New Guinea and head back to Whangara, New Zealand. 9. 'Your birth cord is here. Movies. hierarchy exists. There are several possible reasons. He can spare only a few minutes to watch his son at the ceremony and is then off with his friends. The ____ family in the movie, despite their beliefs or rituals, can be just like an American family, or any other one. Pai forgives him, of course, and says later that she is no prophet and that she knows the Maori people will keep going forward all together with all of our strength. Here she shows the value of humility. Unknown to all, she had won an interschool speech contest with a touching dedication to Koro and the traditions of the village. The visitors respond and the calls go back and forth as the newcomers enter the location where the meeting is to occur. At that time, the fauna of New Zealand was dominated by insects and birds. This will presage several scenes in the movie. [7] In 2006 a picture book version illustrated by Bruce Potter was listed as one of the Storylines Children's Literature Foundation of New Zealand Notable Books List. [5] The film was shot in Whangara, Te Tai Rwhiti, and in Auckland. It is possible that Hawaiiki was one of the Hawaiian islands. Whale Rider (2002) Mana Taumaunu as Hemi. How do the women in the film deal with the sexism of their tribe?