The Whale Rider essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. The bull whale is leading his herd through the frozen waters of Antarctica. Before the Maori found New Zealand and colonized it a little more than a thousand years ago, the only mammals that inhabited New Zealand were two species of bats. We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. Finally, the tribe would not have had a leader that it needed, had the prejudice against having a female chief been maintained. The scenes with Hemi - at the performance when his dad. Whale Rider was released on DVD and VHS on 28 October 2004 by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. A young man who lives in the present but maintains a deep connection to his past heritage, Rawiri is both an active member of a biker gang and a devoted student of Maori language and culture. It was shot on location in Whangara, the setting of the novel. For the perpetrator, prejudice makes it impossible to have meaningful relationships with an entire class of people and deprives him or her of the satisfaction of participating in a society that is fair and just. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. See production, box office & company info. Keiko vs Porourangi (nobody knows vs. whale rider) Pais father is not around but Pai is growing up in the care of her . Her deepest wish is to please her great-grandfather, Koro--a struggle which spans the length of the book--and she remains dedicated to her Maori heritage and culture. The women let the men think that the men are the bosses. It is Pai who saves the whales and, in so doing convinces, her grandfather that she should be Chief. There is no attempt to concretely examine, from a critical perspective, the social system and class oppression that determine the daily realities of ordinary Maori. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. Menu. 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. At one point, Paikea decides to live with her father because her grandfather says he doesn't want her. There are several symbolic meanings in the scene that starts with Koro unsuccessfully trying to use a rope to start an engine. He is sent with Rawiri to tie the rope around the ancient whale's tail in their effort to rescue the whale. He notes that when all of the threads are woven together they make a strong rope. [8] The 60ft (18m)-long waka seen at the end of the film was made in two-halves in Auckland before being transported to Whangara. [17], Whale Rider grossed US$41 million worldwide.[3]. The Maori were the first human beings to live in New Zealand and brought with them a highly evolved Stone Age culture. [2][3] In 2002 it was adapted into a film, Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro.[4]. The introduction will also lead to aha! moments as students recognize aspects of Maori culture described in the lecture while watching the film. Living in the village or even in New Zealand would have reminded him of this loss. 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. Like most other indigenous cultures, Maori tribes were no match for the diseases and gun-based military prowess of the Europeans. Koro acknowledges that Paikea will succeed him as Chief of the tribe. 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. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter Coming Soon, Regal He said of Castle-Hughes: "This is a movie star. In the time of the story he is in his early twenties. a tribe. Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Jurassic Park Movies Ranked By Tomatometer, The Most Anticipated TV & Streaming Shows of March 2023, Pokmon Detective Pikachu Sequel Finds Its Writer and Director, and More Movie News. . Kahu agrees to come with the herd in the hopes that she will thus save them and save her own people. The Kiwis have given us a few uplifting films involving their aboriginal peoples and this one is particularly memorable. 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. Then the story ends with Kahu telling her dear great-grandfather that she can still hear the singing of the whales. He is looking for a suitable successor, which according to local culture ought to be passed from eldest child to eldest child. The whale has to balance between current responsibilities as leader of the herd on one hand, and nostalgia for past times on the other. 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. 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. What does it symbolize? 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. Jeff is a once-close friend of Rawiri's; they meet in Australia, where they share an apartment and become good friends. For example, Koro calls Porourangis art souvenirs. The old man blames Porourangi for not producing a son and heir to the chieftainship. Another example of family dysfunction is Hemis father. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. This is a symbol for her ability to lead the tribe in a way that Koro cannot. Click here for a still picture of two women calling a karanga. The Chief's eldest son, Porourangi, fathers twins - a boy and a girl, but the boy and his . In modern times, the interior rooms of Maori meeting houses are places sacred to the ancestors. Links to the Internet 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. The story is all about how the Maori people will hold on to their tradition while navigating the strange tides of modern times. Pai is female and so technically cannot inherit the leadership. It also won the 2003 BAFTA Childrens Award. Although Pai works hard to earn Koros respect, she is rebuffed each time she tries to master an activity traditionally reserved for males. However, this canoe was designed to have a hole that Rua-Tapu kept sealed with the heel of his foot. This is an echo of the earlier symbol of the rope. Kahu returns to Whangara several times when she is able. Plot Summary of Whale Rider 1. Setting. Whale Rider introduces its protagonist, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), experiencing a trauma shared by countless other Disney heroines: her mother's death. Possible Problems 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. Despite their best efforts, they are not able to do so and Koro returns dejected. At age 13, Keisha Castle-Hughes became the youngest nominee for the Academy Award for Best Actress before she was surpassed by Quvenzhan Wallis, at age 9, for Beasts of the Southern Wild, in 2012, less than a decade later. Pai feels that she can become the leader (although no woman has ever done so) and is determined to succeed. 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. subsistance is based on. Her koro Apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. 545 Words3 Pages. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. She bears a deep love for her mate and thus is concerned about his growing desire to return to the islands of his youth. Rawiri accompanies him but eventually leaves due to the increasingly apparent racism ofRawiri's family (especially coming from his mother). The results of their research can be presented to the class in oral reports or serve as the basis for a writing assignment. 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. Hemis father is another. Pai Ihimaera's The Whale Rider The summary of The Whale Rider is about a young girl, named Pai, who wants to be chief. . However, he is unable to let go, and thoughts of returning to the place of his youth at whatever cost gnaw at his heart. 1. A young girl might fulfill a prophecy in an indigenous New Zealand community. Had Pai not been able to save the whales, she would not have been able to be Chief and pursue the life she wanted. Her grandfather Koro believes that this is a role reserved for males only. See if you can list at least four. He tells her that what she did was dangerous. As a result,Koro spends a lot of time training him and bringing him along on trips pertaining to Maori legal and social issues. 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. In the novel . By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. The whale mistakes Kahu for its old masterKahus ancient ancestor, Kahutia Te Rangi. What is revealed about Pai and her uncle in this episode? "[12][13] Ebert later went on to name it as one of the ten best films of 2003. "[15] Claudia Puig of USA Today gave the film three-and-a-half out of four stars and praised Castle-Hughes' acting, saying "so effectively does she convey her pained confusion through subtle vocal cues, tentative stance and expressive dark eyes. He invited them, 70 in some versions and 140 in others, for a trip in a beautiful ocean-going canoe that he had built. Traditional myths and information about navigation are carved into the walls. 2. Castle-Hughes impressed Caro in the resulting workshop and was cast as Pai. and the 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. The film received critical acclaim and Castle-Hughes's performance won rave reviews. 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. In desperation, Kahu swims out to the whale and climbs up its back after communicating with it. During the course of his stay, Rawiri has to face racist behavior from Jeffs social circle, especially his mother. The entire village attempts to coax and drag them back into the water, but all efforts prove unsuccessful, and even a tractor does not help. Shout! Additional questions are set out below. The comment that Germany is just about as far from New Zealand as a person can get. 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. Whale Rider [Maori title: Te Kaieke Tohora] is a 2002 film . It is also possible to rent "Whale Rider" on Amazon Video, Alamo on Demand online and to download it on Alamo on Demand, Amazon . An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes. 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. Kahu does not mind all this anger from Koro though, and she continues to fervently seek his love and acceptance. Prejudiced societies also lack a fundamental sense of justice and fairness. And soon everyone will be strong, not just the ones that have been chosen. When Jeff is called back to his parents plantation in Papua New Guinea, he asks Rawiri to accompany him and so the two leave Australia for Papua New Guinea. However, he wants to be an artist and this causes conflict which he resolves by moving to Germany. Privacy Policy By what name was Whale Rider (2002) officially released in India in English? When Koro returns he admonishes his granddaughter, telling her that what she has done is dangerous and that she should never do it again. In every generation for more than one thousand years, a male heir born to the Chief succeeds to the title. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. A man to lead a new people. Billy is a close friend of Rawiri's and a member of the same biker gang. Nanny does not think Koro is ready to accept this and does not tell him. Whale Rider transmisin en espaol. Amelia Earhart. The tribe founded by Paikea has always been led by the previous chief's firstborn son, in a line of descent stretching . A man to lead a new people. Pai is interested in the lessons, but is discouraged and scolded by Koro for doing so. What does this suggest about the tribes problems? "[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." There are very physical things that are described in the book the sweep of the bay, the island that looks like a whale, the meeting houses, the number of houses that are present and of course, the people whose legend we were telling. Mana Taumana as Hemi; FILM SYNOPSIS In a small New Zealand coastal village, Maori claim descent from Paikea, the Whale Rider. 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 [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". There, he meets Jeff and the two become fast friends. But her Grandfather, Koro Apirana, wanted a male chief for his tradition. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. So, it is the typical story of a young outsider making a moving film and then vanishing. and that The Whale Rider is emblematic of "An emerging middle-class layer of tribal leaders and youth, radicalised in the late 1960s, [who] intervened to abort the development of a unified class consciousness within the working class as a whole. Give it a location, a full geography, a population and a myth that explains how the tribe arrived on the island and what traditions it follows. Regal All of the problems with prejudice are shown in this film. Students can examine their own concepts of gender roles as they watch entrenched sexism diminish through the course of the film. 8. investigate the sexism found in modern societies and recent changes in gender roles. 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. But he leads them on anyway to what they know will be their final journey. The tribe founded by Paikea has always been led by the previous chief's firstborn son, in a line of descent stretching . This will presage a scene in the film. Such is the case with Keisha Castle Hughes. It was last revised on July 21, 2011. 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. 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. Astraightforward man who seems to have acquired his wealth through hard work and determination. At their head is a great bull whale with an ancient sacred Maori tattoo. Drama, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR, All Upcoming Disney Movies: New Disney Live-Action, Animation, Pixar, Marvel, 20th Century, And Searchlight, Filmmaker Selects: Gina Prince-Bythewoods 10 Movies For Womens History Month, 87 Fearless Women Movie Heroes Who Inspire Us. In the film Whale Rider depicts a culture in transition. See also Assignments, Projects, and Activities for Use With Any Film that is a Work of Fiction. The narrator of this time period is Rawiri, her uncle. He fails to be a strong presence in the life of his child. Review at least five different creation myths; 7. compare and contrast gender roles in a variety of cultures and seek to explain what purpose is served in adhering to a strict set of traditions in regard to these roles; and. 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. [11][12], This article is about the novel. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. Copyright Fandango. 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. He admonishes Pai against touching the largest whale because she has "done enough" damage with her presumption. See Questions Suitable for Any Film That is a Work of Fiction. The old whale remembers the days when man and animal were united and in communication, but those are long past. Why does Porourangi, Koros first born son and Pais father, leave home and live in faraway Germany? The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. Pais father can be his own person in Germany, away from the restraints of his father, the tribe, and Maori culture. New Zealand separated from the Antarctic portion of Gondwana about 82 million years ago, becoming geographically isolated. Her Grandfather and other sexist men would not have allowed themselves to see Pais full personhood and ability. This is clearly shown in the scene in which he rallies the tribe to try to save the whales. He is the grandson of Koro and thus the uncle of Kahu. BENEFITS OF THE MOVIE 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. Click the card to flip . This symbolizes his inability to lead the tribe. He is influenced by the symbols of the unfolding world around him. The indie film Whale Rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. They head towards a sea trench that used to provide them bounty and shelter but they find there an inhospitable and radioactive place. The Whale Rider Quotes and Analysis. Pai learns the lessons on her own and knows that she is capable of being the Chief. 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. The Maori now number about 650,000 people, 15% of the population of New Zealand. Paikea became the ruler of the people who lived on the islands. 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. Other characters have disappointments too, e.g. The eldest grandson of Koro and the elder brother of Rawiri, Porourangi is the chosen successor for his generation. 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. [2] [3] In 2002 it was adapted into a film, Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro. The revered figure of Whangara's Maori people and Kahu's direct ancestor, the whale rider develops an extremely close bond with a whale. The symbolic meaning stated by Koro is that each strand of the rope represents an ancestor with the rope being the tribe. The 2002 film Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro, is an adaptation of Witi Ihimaera's 1987 novel The Whale Rider, itself based on the Mori legend of Paikea, or Kahutia Te Rangi, who rode from the ancestral home of Hawaiki to New Zealand's East Coast on the back of a whale.. The Question and Answer section for The Whale Rider is a great Koro tries to maintain order. Overjoyed, the whale returns to sea and it descends back into the water with the rest of the herd and Kahu in tow. She is a stubborn, determined, and brave women not afraid to stand up to her husband. Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for the 2004 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The rope breaks and Koro leaves to find another. 'Your birth cord is here. with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Whangara, New Zealand. Suduiko, Aaron ed. 5. hierarchy exists. Cebeci, Ali. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. See Assignments, Projects & Activities. What idea is conveyed by this scene? 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. 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. However, Pai is strong. After each presentation, engage in a discussion of the information presented and how it relates to the concepts that can be found in Whale Rider. The students will begin to see the sophistication of the film once they thoroughly investigate any of the topics suggested for research. Then the rope breaks as Koro tries to start the engine. During Rawiris absence, Porourangi remarried and his wife had a child: another baby girl. The story follows a 12-year-old Maori girl named Paikea Apirana who struggles to earn her grandfather's love and respect, but is neglected and belittled as he seeks to find a new chief to lead the Maori tribe. But a lot of the credit has to go to newcomer Keisha Castle-Hughes, who gives an amazingly heartbreaking performance that's incredibly compelling. All of the main characters are impacted by the dynamic between tradition and modernity. Possible Problems Back home, Rawiri notes that Koro has become even more obsessed in his mission of finding a male successor. The Ta moko was predominately for males and among traditional Maori it was rare that a woman would have tattoos. The Whale Rider Together with Yavaraj Athur Raghuvir I watched the movie called The Whale Rider which deals with the issue of cultural restrains both as an individual and as a society. She never lets her anger get the best of her. 12. 10,000 children were auditioned before narrowing it down to 12. Adapt the presentation to the needs of particular classes. . During the night, Rawiri, Koro, Kahu and Nanny hear a booming sound coming from the sea, as if a great door has just opened, and then they witness a large group of huge whales emerge from the bottom of the sea. Bridges to Reading Koro is enraged when he finds out, particularly when she wins a taiaha fight against Hemi. Some Important Scenes & Quotations from Whale Rider 1. The bull whale pulls itself onto shore and strands itself there, waiting for its death. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Discussion Questions Relating to Ethical Issues will facilitate the use of this film to teach ethical principles and critical viewing. In this, he is like Paikea who cannot be a chief simply because of her birth: she is a woman. It wasnt anybodys fault, it just happened. The movie was based on the novel, The Whale Rider by Witi Tame Ihimaera. How do the women in the film deal with the sexism of their tribe? 8. They are forced to travel to other havens as this long-time home for them has become too inhospitable to live in. This is especially harmful to children who grow up as second-class citizens in a society that condones prejudice. Coming Soon. Which of the evils of prejudice are shown operating in this movie? His father was a Chief in Hawaiiki with many wives and numerous children. He has opened his mind and abandoned his rigid adherence to the old rules. By the time the Europeans arrived in the late 1700s, the Maori were well-established. Discussion Questions
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