The film s plot follows the story of paikea apirana paiin the book, her name is kahu, short for kahutia te rangi, a 12yearold girl who is the only living child in the line of the tribes chiefly succession following the death of her twin brother and mother when she was born. Whale rider aims to sketch the life of modern maori, centring its focus on the story of paikea a twelveyearold girl who aspires to become the tribes chief against the will of her conservative grandfather in whose mind such a leading role belongs to males only. The best movie quotes, movie lines and film phrases by movie quotes. Such feminist sentiments certainly inhabit the movie, but theyre not forceful by any means. In the liner notes, gerrard describes the experience of recording music for whale rider as one of the most intimate of my artistic life. On the eastern coast of new zealand, the whangara people believe their ancestor paikea was saved from. Disregarded by her village, a maori girl trains herself in the customs of her people to prove shes the rightful heir to her grandfather as chief.
By tradition, the leader should be the firstborn son a direct patrilineal descendant of paikea, aka kahutia te rangi in the book, the whale rider he who rode on top of a whale from hawaiki. This lovely, lyrical fable of a movie is set in the maori community of new zealand. The album was released on the 4ad label in 2003 the music on the album is also included in the film. The chiefs eldest son, porourangi, fathers twins a boy and a girl. Supernatural beings like the legendary taniwha are called tipua in maori. In the movie, whale rider, there are great examples of joseph campbells article, four functions of myth, which are. Whale rider scenes summary by mia tarquinio on prezi. A husband and father, he realizes that in order to lead with integrity, he must come out and be honest about his own life, even though it will test the boundaries of acceptance and unconditional love.
In a small new zealand coastal village, maori claim descent from paikea, the whale rider. It is a very interesting way to introduce a different culture. Whale rider is a mystical, gentle movie that goes beyond the boundaries of the usual comingofage film. Overcoming gender roles to unite the whangara the film whale rider tells the fictional story of pai, a twelveyearold girl living with her grandparents in the small community of whangara on the coast of new zealand.
Ever since, the maori have been led by the descendants of that leader. The saga details the trials and tribulations of a girl named pai, played by keisha castlehughes. Whale rider is a 2002 new zealandgerman family drama film directed by niki caro, based on the novel of the same name by witi ihimaera. Comprehension and discussion activities for the film whale. The story follows a 12yearold maori girl named paikea apirana who struggles to. In the ways of the ancients, she found a hope for the future. Now, so many years after their separation, the nostalgia for their time spent together cuts away at the old bull whale. The whale rider 2002 summary and analysis assignment. The film stars keisha castlehughes as kahu paikea apirana, a twelveyearold m. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
Although disregarded by her grandfather and shunned by the village people, twelveyearold pai remains certain of her calling and trains. Whale rider is an internationally successful new zealand film focusing on indigenous cultural issues. The movie shows that anyone can step up and be a leader no matter who they are. Whale rider is set in the maori community of new zealand. In every generation, a male heir has succeeded as chief, and that time is now. Based on the novel of the same name by witi ihimaera, the film. The movie begins with the birth of twins, the latest in that line. The question and answer section for the whale rider is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. The whale rider abstract whale rider is a drama film of the 2002, based on the novel of witi ihimaera, and directed by niki caro. Based on the novel of the same name by maori writer witi ihimaera, whale rider is a unique family drama directed niki caro. The idea of the whale rider is a maori myth but myths and legends are a huge part of any culture, and maoris are very proud of theirs. The whale rider themes what does the director suggest about the themes of culture, leadership and expectations. Directed and written by niki caro, the film is based on witi ihimaeras novel the whale rider. The story follows a 12yearold maori girl named paikea apirana who struggles to earn her grandfathers.
Myth, culture, and family in whale rider essay 1012. Often this type of film ends up making a caricature of the people, accentuating their quaint customs and idiosyncratic behaviors and causing us to smile condescendingly at their ignorance and stunted development. The whale rider is a 1987 novel by new zealander witi ihimaera. Released 2002, whale rider stars keisha castlehughes, rawiri paratene, vicky haughton, cliff curtis the pg movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 41 min, and received a score of 80 out of 100. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of whale rider by witi ihimaera. If you have the tooth of a whale, you must have the jaw of the whale to wield it. Watch whale rider 2002 full movie free online streaming tubi. Released 2002, whale rider stars keisha castlehughes, rawiri paratene, vicky haughton, cliff curtis the pg movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 41 min, and received a. However, pai is female and technically cannot inherit the leadership. Whale rider 2002 only males are allowed to ascend to chiefdom in a maori tribe in new zealand. Watch whale rider 2002 movie trailer instantly, no need to login.
Jan 01, 1987 the idea of the whale rider is a maori myth but myths and legends are a huge part of any culture, and maoris are very proud of theirs. Whale rider is a 2002 new zealandgerman family drama film written and directed by niki caro. The indie film whale rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. The whale mothers look over their young while the single leader whalethe bull whalereminisces about his own youth so long ago, and the precious time he spent with the whale rider. Niki caro was so lucky to find and i have never seen one and the same movie more than twice in the theatre before. Discuss the attitude of the maori people throughout most of the movie and compare it to their attitude in the final scene of whale rider. Myth, culture, and family in whale rider essay 1012 words. Watch whale rider 2002 full movie free online streaming. A magical and deeply moving story of a young girls struggle to fulfil her destiny, whale rider is an awardwinning film from new zealand.
Whalerider is the soundtrack album to the film whale rider, by the australian singermusician lisa gerrard. It won the audience awards as the most popular film at both the toronto and sundance film festivals, played to standing ovations, left audiences in tears. According to legend, the maori came to whangara when their great leader paikea led them by riding on a whale. The taniwha is a great example because there are many who believe the whale in whale rider and the paikea mythology was a whale form of a taniwha. The distraught father porourangi, cliff curtis, takes off for foreign parts. With keisha castlehughes, rawiri paratene, vicky haughton, cliff curtis. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. The module consists of teachers notes and a handout with background information that you can copy and give to your students. Whale rider is a story of the quest for the new leader of an indigenous maori tribe living on an island off the coast of new zealand. She is an actress and producer, known for whale rider 2002, the nativity story 2006 and star wars. In the film, whale rider, pai discovers her sense of self as she reinvents the maori tribes creation myth to save the dying culture. Whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years. Whale rider this module has been designed to accompany the film whale rider 2003. Whale rider is sure to elevate the spirit of anyone who might identify with an underestimated twelveyearold girl if this is you, its a mustsee.
Based on a novel by witi ihimaera author of the whale rider, kawa is a man who must become the leader of the family after his father retires. It really is a magnificent masterpiece and sureley made for the whole family. Can you provide an example a scene character quote symbol from the film that shows this theme. For english language arts classes, the movie offers an opportunity to explore theme and the literary devices of characterization, metaphor, symbol, and foil.
The whale in this context of whangara takes on the mythical origins of the taniwha but also serves as a lineage to. The saga details the trials and tribulations of a girl named pai, played by. The most recent home video release of whale rider movie is august 22, 2017. Whale rider set in the east coast town of whangara, whale rider tells the tale of a young maori girl, pai keisha castlehughes, who challenges tradition and embraces the past in order to find the strength to lead her people forward. Blackfish official trailer 20 documentary movie hd.
I watched it 7 times in the cinema and i am into it still today. Paikea, le legendaire whale rider qui y debarqua mille ans plus tot, juche sur. The whale rider 2002 summary and analysis uk essays. It is the uplifting, crowdpleasing and easy digestible tale youd expect. The whale rider epilogue summary and analysis gradesaver. Whale rider 2002 stream and watch online moviefone.
The film is directed by niki caro and its only her third film but this should definitely put her on everyones list as a great future director. Whale rider 2002 a contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young maori girl fights to. Coupling a specific sense of place and culture with a. But kahu trying to prove to her koro that she can be a leader even if she is a female is a strong representation of what this book is about. The movie, which takes place in the present day in new zealand, begins with the birth of twins. Whale rider 2003 is a tale of family generational love, evolution, traditions, and conflict, set in contemporary new zealand. Whale rider can be enjoyed by adults, like myself, or with older children as well. Her grandfather koro apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. Sometimes they become guardians like the famed taniwha.
The film gained much respect from critics, it went on in film festivals such as sundance and tribecca, and gained international recognition. Whale rider also provides an occasion for research, oral presentations, and essay writing required skills in most ela curricula. The taniwha is the mythological whale or sea creature that paikea the ancestor rode on to lead the way to aeoteara new zealand originally. They can take any form and dwell in the natural environment. In every generation for over 1,000 years, a male heir born to the chief succeeds to the title. The world premiere was on september 2002, at the toronto international film festival. Rent whale rider 2003 on dvd and bluray dvd netflix. Whale rider is rated pg by the mpaa for brief language and a momentary drug reference violence. The film starts with the death of a young mother during the birth of twins. Based on the novel of the same name by witi ihimaera, the film stars keisha castlehughes as kahu paikea apirana, a twelveyearold maori girl whose ambition is to become the chief of the tribe.
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