Whale Rider - Full Cast & Crew. He is the father of Kahu, thus making Kahu the eldest child of the successor -- a fact which eventually forces Koro to question his opposition to female leadership in the group. But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene). The relationship between Paikea and her grandfather is exceptionally well-written and feels remarkably real. 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. [5], The Whale Rider has been a worldwide bestseller, and is the most-translated work by a New Zealand author. [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. Part I begins by refocusing on the herd of whales. This custom died out by the end of the 1800s, although Maori continued tattooing other parts of their bodies. Privacy Policy When Pai is born, her mother and twin brother both die. This conflict can be seen in Native American cultures today and is often the source of individual as well as tribal difficulties. Pais defeat of Hemi is a symbol that she is the leader for whom Koro is searching. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Which of the evils of prejudice are shown operating in this movie? See also Assignments, Projects, and Activities for Use With Any Film that is a Work of Fiction. He travels to Sydney, Australia, where he meets several of his cousins and notes that they seem to have drifted away from Maori cultural traditions and have fully embraced the lifestyle of the big city. Whale Rider (2002) Mana Taumaunu as Hemi. The Question and Answer section for The Whale Rider is a great Then the story shifts back to Kahu, whose mother dies within a year of Kahus birth. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. and the She clearly asserts that tradition can hinder progress. Encouraged by the Labour Party and union bureaucracy, they turned Maori workers instead towards the struggle for indigenous rightsin particular land rightsand the rediscovery of tribal identity. GradeSaver, 6 April 2015 Web. Unfortunately the boy dies while the girl lives, and resentful is the elder who blames the girl for the sons death since he was the last recent hope for the village to gain a chief. Paikea became the ruler of the people who lived on the islands. The genius of the movie is the way is sidesteps all of the obvious cliches of the underlying story and makes itself fresh, observant, tough and genuinely moving. Regal Porourangi later tells his daughter that the old man is looking for something that no longer exists. She bears a deep love for her mate and thus is concerned about his growing desire to return to the islands of his youth. Maori consciousness is shaped by reverence for ancestors and the past. If Porourangi had tried to stay in New Zealand, he would have had to constantly face Koros disapproval. When Rua-Tapu tried to use a sacred comb belonging to one of his high-born brothers, he was humiliated by the Chief who made it clear that Rua-Tapu was of a lower caste than his siblings. Then he is excluded from the boat. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Expectations and disappointments. Activities. Pai makes an important point that clearly establishes theme in the speech she delivers in honor of her grandfather: I broke the line back to the ancient ones. 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. What idea is conveyed by this scene? Drama Family A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Paikea: There was no gladness when I was born. Our ancestor, Paikea. "[11] Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars and said, "The genius of the movie is the way it sidesteps all of the obvious cliches of the underlying story and makes itself fresh, observant, tough and genuinely moving." She is a young girl with a strong and determined temperament and a soft and innocent heart. a term of reference for of this tribe who have Paikea as their founding ancestor. Identify some of the scenes in which this struggle is shown. At age 12, she enlists the help of her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and the training of her uncle (Grant Roa) to claim her birthright. The world premiere was on 9 September 2002, at the Toronto International Film Festival. (Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule; Be tolerant of differences; Use good manners, not bad language; Be considerate of the feelings of others; Dont threaten, hit or hurt anyone; Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements). When Koro returns from a trip he had been on during the ordeal, he remarks with great anguish that this is a sign for them. How do the women in the film deal with the sexism of their tribe? She leads a group of young girls in a traditional dance and also recites a speech she wrote in the Maori tongue. For activities specific to this film, divide the class into small groups and ask students to research one of the following topics for an oral presentation using the technology available in the classroom. What does this suggest about the tribes problems? As a result, Rawiri becomes overweight and escapes into alcohol or other drugs. these scenes. When he tells Pai that he cannot be what Koro wants, Pai says, Me neither. Two other reasons are worth mentioning. [2][3] In 2002 it was adapted into a film, Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro.[4]. The film Whale Rider harnesses the power of its character Paikea, her elders, and other film techniques to show a huge transition from traditional principles to modern ones, while still adhering to the cultural significance of the Whale Rider. According to myth, Paikea was the founder of the Maori people. Mana Taumana as Hemi; FILM SYNOPSIS In a small New Zealand coastal village, Maori claim descent from Paikea, the Whale Rider. The brief introduction suggested below will orient students to the film and provide background about Maori culture. The film received critical acclaim and Castle-Hughes's performance won rave reviews. The film earned $41.4 million[3] on a NZ$9,235,000 budget. More books than SparkNotes. 6. A rope is seen in the episode in which the villagers try to help the beached whales return to the sea. He has opened his mind and abandoned his rigid adherence to the old rules. 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. Shout! However, he is unable to let go, and thoughts of returning to the place of his youth at whatever cost gnaw at his heart. The Whale Rider The revered figure of Whangara's Maori people and Kahu's direct ancestor, the whale rider develops an extremely close bond with a whale. Whale Rider On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. At one point, Paikea decides to live with her father because her grandfather says he doesn't want her. 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. In the absence of swift and agile mammalian predators, some species of birds had lost the ability to fly. This is called hongi, a gesture that is the social equivalent of a handshake or a kiss on both cheeks. The Chief's eldest son, Porourangi, fathers twins - a boy and a girl, but the boy and his . But Koro always rejected Pai just because she's a girl. Koro tries to maintain order. Selected Awards & Cast The story begins with a focus on the ancient days, when nature and all wildlife were excitedly waiting for the coming of man. The story is all about how the Maori people will hold on to their tradition while navigating the strange tides of modern times. 8. investigate the sexism found in modern societies and recent changes in gender roles. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. The comment that Germany is just about as far from New Zealand as a person can get. Featured Actors: Keisha Castle-Hughes as Paikea; Rawiri Paratene as Koro; Vicky Haughton as Nanny Flowers; Cliff Curtis as Porourangi; Grant Roa as Uncle Rawiri; and Mana Taumaunu as Hemi Director: Niki Caro. Other characters have disappointments too, e.g. Then the story ends with Kahu telling her dear great-grandfather that she can still hear the singing of the whales. Then the rope breaks as Koro tries to start the engine. Possible Problems She never lets her anger get the best of her. 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. However his twin sister, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), survives. The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. He said of Castle-Hughes: "This is a movie star. Many have been born, but for the village elder all have been disappointments. Although Pais grandfather, Koro, loves his granddaughter, he is determined to find a male to serve as his successor. Bibliography. See if you can list at least four. Kahu does not mind all this anger from Koro though, and she continues to fervently seek his love and acceptance. He chooses to take them down the paths leading back to the seas of his youth, a decision that causes dismay among the elder mothers because they know his nostalgia for the past is clouding his present judgment. The visitors respond and the calls go back and forth as the newcomers enter the location where the meeting is to occur. There are several possible reasons. Teachers can modify the worksheets to fit the needs of each class. 545 Words3 Pages. 7. Koro recognizes in this event a spiritual warning to him and his people; their test is to return this ancient whale back to sea because they are so connected to this supernatural whale herd that if it lives they live and f it dies they die. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. Whale Rider also provides an occasion for research, oral presentations, and essay writing required skills in most ELA curricula. In recent years, tattooing has become common for both men and women. The movie won many awards at film festivals. Maori tradition provides that only first born sons can be chief. [5] The film was shot in Whangara, Te Tai Rwhiti, and in Auckland. Bibliography. ForEnglish Language Arts Classes, the movie offers an opportunity to explore theme and the literary devices of characterization, metaphor, symbol, and foil. Waiting for a leader. Based on 155 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an overall approval rating from critics of 91%, with an average score of 7.77 as of October 2020. Rawiri accompanies him but eventually leaves due to the increasingly apparent racism ofRawiri's family (especially coming from his mother).