Whale Rider (2002)
Genre: Drama / Family
Duration: 101 minuten
Country:
New Zealand / Germany
Directed by: Niki Caro
Stars: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene and Vicky Haughton
IMDb score:
7,5 (44.446)
Releasedate: 30 January 2003
Whale Rider plot
"In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future."
Whale Rider is the story of a Maori tribe in a small coastal town in New Zealand. In every generation there is a man named Whale Rider. When twins are born, mother and son die and daughter Pai (Keisha Catle-Hughes) survives. For the current chieftain Koro (Rawiri Paratene) it is unacceptable that a woman will become the new leader. He therefore goes in search of a boy within the tribe who can take on this role. Pai loves her grandfather dearly, yet she does something against his will. She wants to prove to him anyway that she can indeed become the new chieftain, even if it is against thousands of years of tradition....
Actors and actresses
Paikea Apirana
Koro
Nanny Flowers
Porourangi
Uncle Rawiri
Hemi
Shilo
Willie
Dog
Maka
Reviews & comments
Filmkriebel
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- 10204 messages
- 4774 votes
Family ties and age-old traditions are tightly woven into this drama that provides an instructive look at Maori culture. The girl Paikea has the misfortune of being born a girl in her family's bloodline. Does that give her less right to claim as leader of her people? Ja thinks her grandfather and keeps her out of the rituals that are part of her ethnic and cultural identity. What follows is an almost mythological twist in the present day, but it was so beautiful and powerful that it left me speechless. It is also a film that is very suitable for young and old.
Translated from Dutch · View original
AnyaH
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- 453 messages
- 376 votes
What a special drama film about Maori life in New Zealand! Dramatic film music and old Maori songs as musical accompaniment. I regularly got goosebumps.
Cinematography is beautiful, the rugged landscape of New Zealand, the coast and the sea with the sun on the horizon. Beautiful mystical images of whales. The film's main subject is cultural pride, dignity and stubborn adherence to old norms and values. What a wise grandmother Pai had! Keisha Castle-Hughes plays the part of Paikea with great dignity! The call of the whales had disastrous consequences.... Sad because these images are reality. The reason why this occasionally happens still remains a mystery. At the end of the film, she literally and figuratively becomes the Whale Rider. I have never seen a film that gave me so many shivers... The film is a grand and dignified tribute to and with great respect for the Maori culture. Undoubtedly stunningly beautiful!
Translated from Dutch · View original
BBarbie
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- 12893 messages
- 7675 votes
I have always been interested in films about exotic cultures. That's why I really enjoyed this film about the thinking and doing of the Maoris. The haka, with which the New Zealand rugby team challenges the opponent before the start of a match, has fascinated me many times. It is a nice bonus that this film explains the meaning of some movements and striking facial expressions (particularly the far sticking out of the tongue).
Apart from that, the film tells an accessible drama about the clash between conservative Maoris and a contemporary descendant. A beautiful film, with which Niki Caro once again proves himself as a gifted filmmaker and storyteller.
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