In 1840, British rule over the Maori was formalized in the Treaty of Waitangi, which granted British citizenship and land rights to the indigenous people of New Zealand, although most of the country was confiscated for European settlers. Which of the evils of prejudice are shown operating in this movie? Bibliography. For society as a whole, prejudice limits the contribution that the victims can make. For example, according to tradition, Paikeas father should stay in the village and assume the role of Chief. 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. The narrator of this time period is Rawiri, her uncle. Pai's Opening Voice-Over PAI (narrating): In the old days the land felt a great emptiness that was waiting, waiting to be filled up, waiting . The bull whale eventually agrees and they return Kahu, now unconscious, to Whangara. Not affiliated with Harvard College. The indie film Whale Rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. The characters struggle with several issues faced by indigenous people all over the globe as they seek to integrate what remains of their traditional ways into modern society. The problem in Koros mind, however, is that Porourangis eldest child is now Kahu, whobecause she is femaleis not fit to lead according to Koro. Using this knowledge, she defeats Hemi, a boy trained by Koro himself. In 2005, the film was named on the BFI List of the 50 Films You Should See By the Age of 14. 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. Plan and present a debate on the elimination of gender roles in society. Although the young New Zealand girl dreams of . An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes. This brings Kahu to tears. Whale Rider introduces its protagonist, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), experiencing a trauma shared by countless other Disney heroines: her mother's death. For example, Koro calls Porourangis art souvenirs. The old man blames Porourangi for not producing a son and heir to the chieftainship. [2] Additional financing came from ApolloMedia, Filmstiftung NRW, the New Zealand Film Commission and NZ On Air. Other songs heard in the film include:[21], This article is about the film. 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. He is sent with Rawiri to tie the rope around the ancient whale's tail in their effort to rescue the whale. However, he wants to be an artist and this causes conflict which he resolves by moving to Germany. 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. Term. It is Pai who saves the whales and, in so doing convinces, her grandfather that she should be Chief. He teaches the boys to use a taiaha (fighting stick), which is traditionally reserved for males. She is a stubborn, determined, and brave women not afraid to stand up to her husband. After students have seen the film, engage the class in a discussion about the themes of the story. 2. What important aspects of character are shown at the films end? The website's critical consensus states, "An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes". He drops a rock in the sea and once it has sunk to the depths, he tells the boys they must retrieve it as a test of their endurance and strength and ability to lead. Moral-Ethical Emphasis But Koro always rejected Pai just because she's a girl. His response to the strong ties that he feels to Maori culture and the pressure to be chief is to make a clean break. 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. He is the grandson of Koro and thus the uncle of Kahu. 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. Paikeas uncle, skilled in the art of fighting with war sticks, is not considered fit for the role of Chief because he is the second son. Paikea became the ruler of the people who lived on the islands. The late mother of Kahu and wife of Porourangi, Rehua has the same connection to Muriwai as Nanny Flowers, and demonstrates her own sort of independence by naming her daughter after a male hero of the Whangara people. Whale Rider also provides an occasion for research, oral presentations, and essay writing required skills in most ELA curricula. Returning to Kahus tale, Rawiri narrates that he decided to see a bit of the world when Kahu was in her fourth year. He can spare only a few minutes to watch his son at the ceremony and is then off with his friends. Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro. For the novel, see, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association, "Glasshammer visual effects production photos", "Haunting 'Whale Rider' revisits a timeless legend", The Whale Road: Transitioning from Spiritual Links, to Whaling, to Whale Watching in Aotearoa New Zealand, "New Zealand Film "Whale Rider" is Surprise Winner of the Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Audience Award", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Whale_Rider&oldid=1142250139, Mabel Wharekawa as Maka (as Mabel Wharekawa-Burt), Roi Taimana as Hemi's Dad (as Roimata Taimana), the World Cinema Audience award at the January 2003, Best Actress (Keisha Castle-Hughes, lost to, Most Promising Filmmaker (Niki Caro, lost to. Click the card to flip . Many have been born, but for the village elder all have been disappointments. The film was a coproduction between New Zealand and Germany. Nanny does not think Koro is ready to accept this and does not tell him. Nanny is the wife of Koro and the motherly figure for most of the other main characters. There is no reason he should not be chief. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. Although Pai works hard to earn Koros respect, she is rebuffed each time she tries to master an activity traditionally reserved for males. 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. She asks Rawiri not to tell their grandparents about her current condition and how her identity has changed. Living in the village or even in New Zealand would have reminded him of this loss. In the film "Whale Rider" directed by Niki Caro, in a small town in New Zealand called Whangara a innocent young girl called Paikea is born and she is everything Koro didn't want in the future chief/leader. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. Paikea: In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. This is clearly shown in the scene in which he rallies the tribe to try to save the whales. In the 1700s, when Europeans first arrived in New Zealand, it was common for Maori to have tattoos covering their entire face. He admonishes Pai against touching the largest whale because she has "done enough" damage with her presumption. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter Nanny is connected in lineage to Muriwai, a brave, independent ancestress, famous for her strength. Moral-Ethical Emphasis, Assignments and Projects Setting. Bibliography. Most Promising Performer (Keisha Castle-Hughes, Best Screenplay Adapted (Niki Caro, lost to, Best Supporting Actress (Keisha Castle-Hughes, lost to, Bar One (International Observer) Loaded Sounds , This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 09:45. She bears a deep love for her mate and thus is concerned about his growing desire to return to the islands of his youth. Additional questions are set out below. He said of Castle-Hughes: "This is a movie star. Paikeas uncle, Rawiri, is a nurturing man and a leader in the community just by the force of his personality. 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. Before starting the introduction, on a globe or map of the world, show students the locations of New Zealand and Germany in relation to each other and to the community in which they live. 8. investigate the sexism found in modern societies and recent changes in gender roles. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. Her grandmother, Nanny, tells Pai that her second son, Pai's uncle, had won a taiaha tournament in his youth while he was still slim and so Pai secretly learns from him. Kahu is taken by her mothers family and raised away from Whangarathe setting of the story, a small town in New Zealand populated by the Maori people. A small coastal community of Maoris deal daily with being New Zealanders while not being entirely so, particularly hard for a young pubescent lass ostracized because of her sex, despite that she offers hope of continuing traditions. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. Because of his status as eldest, he is the default choice for leadership after Koro passes away. 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. Film Study Worksheet for ELA Classes; and. Koro tries to maintain order. Individual genealogy was remembered through the he rakau wakapapa-paranga, a board with a notch for each name and a blank space to denote when a male line of descent died out. Some Important Scenes & Quotations from Whale Rider 1. Astraightforward man who seems to have acquired his wealth through hard work and determination. 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. One traditional function of Maori women was the karanga, an exchange of calls that forms part of the Maori welcoming ceremony. Kahu herself plays a prominent role in the ceremony. Sep 30, 2014. Back home he cracks under all the pressure and weeps. He ran his plantation until being struck by a debilitating injury, and now relies on his son to take care of their land. 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. The next evening an even bigger event occurs, this time witnessed not by everyone but just by the small Maori community within the town. 9. Overjoyed, the whale returns to sea and it descends back into the water with the rest of the herd and Kahu in tow. He has opened his mind and abandoned his rigid adherence to the old rules. She clearly asserts that tradition can hinder progress. There are several symbolic meanings in the scene that starts with Koro unsuccessfully trying to use a rope to start an engine. 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. 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. 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. Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. Parenting Points the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. Whale Rider (2002) Mana Taumaunu as Hemi. Main character and the new 'whale rider' Born into a line of chiefs Has all the qualities of a leader Struggles against gender stereotypes and Koro Koro Chief Pai's grandfather; loves Pai but clashes with her He raises Pai after her mother dies during childbirth and her father (Porourangi) leaves to go overseas Nanny Flowers 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. Pai is originally born a twin, but her twin brother and her mother died during childbirth. The tribe founded by Paikea has always been led by the previous chief's firstborn son, in a line of descent stretching . Regal 5. The story describes the efforts of an indigenous group living within modern Western society to continue their traditions while assimilating some aspects of the dominant culture. They include: leadership, unity with the Maori culture, and knowledge of that culture. B. Adapt the presentation to the needs of particular classes. Pai ties the rope together and then easily starts the engine. Although Pais grandfather, Koro, loves his granddaughter, he is determined to find a male to serve as his successor. This highlights Paikeas decision to struggle against the fate that would have been hers had she not become Chief. 2. Pai wanted to show Koro how strong she was so he could love her. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. These scenes include those that show Maori families as dysfunctional or Maori people abusing alcohol. . a tribe. See Hongi Example #1 for an image of the traditional Maori greeting. This part concludes with another momentous event. 7. [11][12], This article is about the novel. However, as they are driving away, she finds that she cannot bear to leave the sea as the whale seems to be calling her back. Read critic reviews. Jeff is a once-close friend of Rawiri's; they meet in Australia, where they share an apartment and become good friends. However, when Paikea climbs atop the whale it responds to her and leads the other whales back to the sea. Despite their joint efforts, the rope breaks and they walk away exhausted. A man so old that he now has great-grandchildren, Koro is weighed down with the task of finding the right successors to his chieftaincy. The Chief's eldest son, Porourangi, fathers twins - a boy and a girl, but the boy and his . Maori children were taught about their ancestors by memorizing the names of the person represented by each notch. A collapsing of the ice there and the life-threatening nature of this collapse forces him to make a snap decision in guiding his herd. The whale has to balance between current responsibilities as leader of the herd on one hand, and nostalgia for past times on the other. Their way of life is being put to the test: they can either save the whale or fail and fall into ruin. Later when Kahu also awakens, he tells her for the first time that he loves her. Her grandfather Koro believes that this is a role reserved for males only. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Then the story ends with Kahu telling her dear great-grandfather that she can still hear the singing of the whales. Koro is devastated when none of the boys succeeds at the traditional task of recovering the rei puta (whale tooth) that he threw into the ocean, the mission that would prove one of them worthy of becoming leader. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Suduiko, Aaron ed. All of the main characters are impacted by the dynamic between tradition and modernity. See Assignments, Projects & Activities. "[16], The film has also been discussed and praised widely within academia. New Zealand separated from the Antarctic portion of Gondwana about 82 million years ago, becoming geographically isolated. Nanny also has a deep love and softness for offspring. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. Despite their best efforts, they are not able to do so and Koro returns dejected. This is a symbol for her ability to lead the tribe in a way that Koro cannot. Links to the Internet When he tells Pai that he cannot be what Koro wants, Pai says, Me neither. Two other reasons are worth mentioning. In desperation, Kahu swims out to the whale and climbs up its back after communicating with it. Kahu is the chief protagonist of the story. Describe the attributes of this character, how they relate to the themes of the film, and how Uncle Rawiri is a foil for his niece. Back home, Rawiri notes that Koro has become even more obsessed in his mission of finding a male successor. The tribe and the Maori families are breaking apart because the men are leaving. However, no matter how many leadership qualities Rawiri may possess, he can never be chief because he is a second-born son. Whale Rider streaming: where to watch online? [9] By comparison, Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 top reviews from mainstream critics, calculated an average score of 79, based on 31 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". In the novel . [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. They may want to freeze-frame a moment in the film to illustrate a point on cinematography or use the internet to present visuals in support of the history of a culture or a concept. However, he is unable to let go, and thoughts of returning to the place of his youth at whatever cost gnaw at his heart. No matter where you may go, you will always return. They head towards a sea trench that used to provide them bounty and shelter but they find there an inhospitable and radioactive place. Like most other indigenous cultures, Maori tribes were no match for the diseases and gun-based military prowess of the Europeans. Pa : l'lue d'un peuple nouveau streaming vf gratuit francais. In the absence of swift and agile mammalian predators, some species of birds had lost the ability to fly. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! Cebeci, Ali. The movie, which takes place in the present day in New . Coming Soon, Regal ForEnglish Language Arts Classes, the movie offers an opportunity to explore theme and the literary devices of characterization, metaphor, symbol, and foil. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. Called Ta moko,, they consist of important symbols that help individuals express their unique identities. Part II begins with another short focus on the whale herd. The film's plot follows the story of Paikea Apirana ("Pai"). She demonstrates racist tendencies when Rawiri comes to help them maintain their plantation. The whales in the movie are a combination of footage of real whales, life size models (some with humans creating movement) and CGI. [2][3] In 2002 it was adapted into a film, Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro.[4]. The movie was based on the novel, The Whale Rider by Witi Tame Ihimaera. The Whale Rider essays are academic essays for citation. Plot Summary of Whale Rider 1. ----- 6. Prejudiced societies also lack a fundamental sense of justice and fairness. In voiceover, Pai declares, "My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the Whale Rider. Paikeas father, Porourangi, is the most important example of this. Pai, the protagonist, briefly explains the story of Paikeia, the legendary Whale Rider who founded Maori civilization. He pulls it down, along with the rod and orange drapes that the sheet was hanging from. We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. All rights reserved. Whale Rider was theatrically released in 2003 in New Zealand and Germany. 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. I'm not a prophet, but I know that our people will keep going forward, all together, with all of our strength. This will presage several scenes in the movie. Kahu finds Current time: coastal Maori village in New Zealand. His death prompts Rawiri to accept the tensions between him and Jeff's family, pushing him to leave Papua New Guinea and return to Whangara. Pai is female and so technically cannot inherit the leadership. He needs to get far away to fully develop as an individual and as an artist. Pais grandmother can be highly critical of Koro, yet she tolerates him using humor. The film won a number of international film-festival awards, including: At the age of 13, Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance, becoming the youngest actress ever nominated for the award at that time (breaking Isabelle Adjani's record at the age of 20). A poetic look into a different culture that really isn't too different, simply remembering that it was at one time and wanting to hold that memory. The focus shifts to a herd of whales. But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene). ", The film had budget of NZ$9,235,000. Waiting to be filled up. Maori tradition provides that only first born sons can be chief. What idea in this speech offers the solution to the problem faced by both Koro and the Maori as a whole? Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. There, he meets Jeff and the two become fast friends. Pai learns how to use the war sticks, the Taiaha, from Uncle Rawiri. "[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." Koro acknowledges that Paikea will succeed him as Chief of the tribe. Students can examine their own concepts of gender roles as they watch entrenched sexism diminish through the course of the film. 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. 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. In the time of the story he is in his early twenties. "The Whale Rider Summary". 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. He is accidentally killed by Jeff in a car accident. When Pai is 12, Koro establishes a school to teach adolescent boys the ancient customs and to develop the skills to enable one of them to become the tribal leader. It started to break up about 180 million years ago in the Early Jurassic Period. The story is all about how the Maori people will hold on to their tradition while navigating the strange tides of modern times. Anthropologist A. Asbjrn Jn discussed a range of Maori tribal traditions that resonate within the film, while noting links between the release of Whale Rider and increases in both New Zealand's whale watching tourism industry and conservation efforts. Good performances by all the leads though the story worries around a barn door being open long, long after the horse has already gone. Whale Rider. 1 / 20. The importance of myth and stories which shape the lives of traditional people will become clear to viewers and will offer the perspective necessary to look at their own myths and stories. The Maori found them to be easy prey and quickly killed them off. Paikea Apiranas grandfather is the Chief of a small Maori tribe in modern-day New Zealand. Coming Soon. The Maori were the first human beings to live in New Zealand and brought with them a highly evolved Stone Age culture. 'Your birth cord is here. SUBJECTS New Zealand; ELA, including characterization, symbol, and foil; SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING Breaking Out; Female Role Model; AGE: 12+; MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief language and a momentary drug reference; Benefits of the Movie This ancient custom is upset when the child selected to be the next chief dies at birth. Maori consciousness is shaped by reverence for ancestors and the past. While she does love him, she is not blind to his faults, and recognizes that his nostalgia can lead the herd into trouble and can lead him to commit significant mistakes. This conflict can be seen in Native American cultures today and is often the source of individual as well as tribal difficulties. Copyright Fandango. Koro leads a cultural school for the village's first-born boys, hoping to find a new leader. Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro. TWM offers the following movie worksheets to keep students minds on the film and to focus their attention on the lessons to be learned from the movie. Menu. It is also possible to rent "Whale Rider" on Amazon Video, Alamo on Demand online and to download it on Alamo on Demand, Amazon . The oldest of the matrons of the whale herd, this whale is the bull whale's dearest companion. By creating an account, you agree to the He notes that when all of the threads are woven together they make a strong rope. She persists and fights for what she wants. Koro is enraged when he finds out, particularly when she wins a taiaha fight against Hemi. One day, Koro takes some of his star pupils out to sea. The Ta moko was predominately for males and among traditional Maori it was rare that a woman would have tattoos. 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 day Pai, her uncle, her uncle's girlfriend Shilo, and others take the boat to where Koro flung the rei puta into the sea. Finally, the tribe would not have had a leader that it needed, had the prejudice against having a female chief been maintained. Porourangi later tells his daughter that the old man is looking for something that no longer exists. The bull whale pulls itself onto shore and strands itself there, waiting for its death. The epilogue narrates that the oldest mother whale notices Kahu and realizes that her husband, the bull whale, has mistaken this little girl for her ancestor. His chief worry is that he will not be able to pass on the legacy and heritage that he learned so many years ago from his elders. Pai learns the lessons on her own and knows that she is capable of being the Chief.