She asks Rawiri not to tell their grandparents about her current condition and how her identity has changed. Maori consciousness is shaped by reverence for ancestors and the past. 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. He tells her that what she did was dangerous. It was assembled from parts of previous supercontinents by the Late Precambrian time, some 600 million years ago. Maori Meeting Houses In and Over Time by Toon Van Meijl, Chapter 8; in Inside Austronesian Houses Perspective on Domestic Designs for Living; ANU E Press, 2006. hierarchy exists. Nanny tells Pai that her uncle, Rawiri, knows some things worth knowing . The Girl Who Could Every culture has principles that create a foundation for its belief system, and changing these principles is disdained. Please reference Error Code 2121 when contacting customer service. Whale Rider (2002) Mana Taumaunu as Hemi. At that time, the fauna of New Zealand was dominated by insects and birds. So, it is the typical story of a young outsider making a moving film and then vanishing. Rawiri is the primary narrator of the story. At age 12, she enlists the help of her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and the training of her uncle (Grant Roa) to claim her birthright. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to drop me a . The tribe and the Maori families are breaking apart because the men are leaving. Called Ta moko,, they consist of important symbols that help individuals express their unique identities. [6] In 1995 it was translated into Mori by Tmoti Kretu, as Te kaieke tohor. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Her koro Apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. 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. [10] Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton of The Movie Show both gave the film four out of five stars. Voila! Throughout the film she struggles to try to become the leader causing a heap of conflict. Students can then be asked to take a deeper look and research questions that have been discussed in class. When Pai is born, her mother and twin brother both die. The Maori were the first human beings to live in New Zealand and brought with them a highly evolved Stone Age culture. Part I begins by refocusing on the herd of whales. 1. Not only is this the land of her father's family, but it is also . See Assignments, Projects & Activities. 9. Moments later, the drapes are back up in place and hanging perfectly straight, without enough time for him to re-hang the drapes. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! Kahu agrees to come with the herd in the hopes that she will thus save them and save her own people. 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. But Koro always rejected Pai just because she's a girl. [5], The Whale Rider has been a worldwide bestseller, and is the most-translated work by a New Zealand author. The village leader should be the first-born son, a direct patrilineal descendant of Paikea, the Whale Rider, he who rode on top of a whale (Tohora) from Hawaiki. He teaches the boys to use a taiaha (fighting stick), which is traditionally reserved for males. uneven distributions of wealth. The traditional Maori greeting is to press noses. The story follows a 12-year-old Maori girl named Paikea Apirana who struggles to earn her . 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. Maori tradition provides that only first born sons can be chief. If Pai had a brother, he would become chief, but her only brother, her twin, died at birth, along with their mother. Touching and powerful, Whale Rider is extraordinarily well-crafted film. In addition, the screenwriter needed to make Porourangis rejection of the role of chief to be emphatic and permanent in order to make Pais rise to the position believable. Coming Soon. Jeff then invites Rawiri to accompany him as he returns to help his parents on their plantation in Papua New Guinea. Pais grandmother can be highly critical of Koro, yet she tolerates him using humor. Students can be assessed using the standards to which they are accustomed on the depth of information presented and on the quality of the oral report. More books than SparkNotes. There, he meets Jeff and the two become fast friends. There are several symbolic meanings in the scene that starts with Koro unsuccessfully trying to use a rope to start an engine. After students have seen the film, engage the class in a discussion about the themes of the story. fight. Whale Rider was released on DVD and VHS on 28 October 2004 by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. 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. This brings Kahu to tears. As in many cultures, the value of ancestors and a reverence for the past shape Maori consciousness. 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. They head towards a sea trench that used to provide them bounty and shelter but they find there an inhospitable and radioactive place. However, Pais father, the next in line, has declined to accept the role. Activities. Whale Rider. [2] It received $2.5 million from the New Zealand Film Production Fund. However, no matter how many leadership qualities Rawiri may possess, he can never be chief because he is a second-born son. Select imprint on 22 August 2017. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. This custom died out by the end of the 1800s, although Maori continued tattooing other parts of their bodies. 1. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. As a result,Koro spends a lot of time training him and bringing him along on trips pertaining to Maori legal and social issues. 8. investigate the sexism found in modern societies and recent changes in gender roles. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. The research topics are: 1. the history of the Maori people, including controversies and the current effort to seek redress for land confiscation; 2. the lives of whales, including the effect of the whaling industry on the species; 3. the art of tattoo, including cultural traditions as well as artistic or social customs associated with this form of body art; 4. culture conflict as it is experienced today by indigenous people, including efforts to transcend the social barriers that preclude full assimilation and any efforts of indigenous people to remain autonomous; 5. what it means to be Polynesian, including the common qualities and unique variations of the cultures of the various Polynesian Islands, paying special attention to the history and culture of Polynesians in the Hawaiian Islands; 6. myths that explain the origin and existence of a people. When Koro returns he admonishes his granddaughter, telling her that what she has done is dangerous and that she should never do it again. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. . In this story, the Taiaha, the ability to fight with war sticks is a symbol. 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. Encourage students to discuss what was happening in. Hemis father comes to see his son for a brief part of the ceremony at the school and then leaves with his friends. a term of reference for of this tribe who have Paikea as their founding ancestor. 1 / 20. An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes. Coming Soon. It was waiting. "[10], In 2022, The Whale Rider was included on the Big Jubilee Read, a list of 70 books by Commonwealth authors produced to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. 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. The book "The Whale Rider" by Witi Ihimaera is about a girl named Kahu and is in line to becoming chief in her tribe but greatly discouraged by her grandfather . The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. This will increase their appreciation for the movie. 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. Her koro Apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. [14] The Los Angeles Times's Kenneth Turan praised Caro for her "willingness to let this story tell itself in its own time and the ability to create emotion that is intense without being cloying or dishonest. 6. Pai tells her father to return her home. Assignments and Projects 11. [17], Whale Rider grossed US$41 million worldwide.[3]. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter This shows that he thinks Pais leadership would be dangerous to the tribe, despite the fact that she can do what he cannot. PG-13 (Momentary Drug Reference|Brief Language), Kids & family, Another example of family dysfunction is Hemis father. Throughout the book, symbols in his environment cause him to contemplate his morals and true beliefs. Back on the shore, Koro finally realizes Kahus special status and her suitability to lead. He is sent with Rawiri to tie the rope around the ancient whale's tail in their effort to rescue the whale. Additional questions are set out below. Links to the Internet 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. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. When he tells Pai that he cannot be what Koro wants, Pai says, Me neither. Two other reasons are worth mentioning. Other characters have disappointments too, e.g. Although Pais grandfather, Koro, loves his granddaughter, he is determined to find a male to serve as his successor. Whale Rider - Full Cast & Crew. The villagers desperately try to help the whales, pulling together as implied by the tribal custom, becoming the living image of the strands that make up the rope of a united village. Lesson plans based on movies & film clips! However, he is a nurturing man and a leader in the community just by force of his winning personality. Koro is enraged when he finds out, particularly when she wins a taiaha fight against Hemi. Worksheet for Cinematic and Theatrical Elements and Their Effects. The movie won many awards at film festivals. Whale Rider is a film directed by Niki Caro (2002). 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. [11][12], This article is about the novel. He ran his plantation until being struck by a debilitating injury, and now relies on his son to take care of their land. Finally, the tribe would not have had a leader that it needed, had the prejudice against having a female chief been maintained. "[16], The film has also been discussed and praised widely within academia. Nanny does not think Koro is ready to accept this and does not tell him. The father and grandfather argue after the slide show, and the father goes to pull down the white sheet that was hung over some drapes to act as a screen. In addition to websites which linked in the Guide and selected film reviews listed on the Movie Review Query Engine, the following resources were consulted in the preparation of this Learning Guide: This Learning Guide was written by Mary RedClay and James Frieden. 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. Paikea Apiranas grandfather is the Chief of a small Maori tribe in modern-day New Zealand. Amelia Earhart. Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro. Whale Rider stream Whale Rider online for free | Watch online movies through best free 1080p HD videos on desktop, laptop, notebook, tablet, iPhone, iPad, Mac Pro and more. Kahu herself plays a prominent role in the ceremony. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Moral-Ethical Emphasis, Assignments and Projects As demonstrated throughout the movie, all People share the same type of emotions: they get upset, angry, sad, happy, indiffeent and happy. The women let the men think that the men are the bosses. Pai learns the lessons on her own and knows that she is capable of being the Chief. They are forced to travel to other havens as this long-time home for them has become too inhospitable to live in. 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. 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 the rope breaks as Koro tries to start the engine. In revenge, Rua-Tapu decided to kill all of his half-brothers, including Paikea. For example, according to tradition, Paikeas father should stay in the village and assume the role of Chief. 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. 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. The film received critical acclaim and Castle-Hughes's performance won rave reviews. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. 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. In the time of the story he is in his early twenties. 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. She leads a group of young girls in a traditional dance and also recites a speech she wrote in the Maori tongue. Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association: New Zealand filmmaker Jonathan Brough made the documentary film Riding the Wave: The Whale Rider Story, as well as short documentary clips about Whale Rider, to accompany the DVD.[20]. As a visiting group moves into the formal meeting area, they are welcomed by a call from a woman of the household or village. Waiting for a leader. The film received critical acclaim upon its release. The tribe founded by Paikea has always been led by the previous chief's firstborn son, in a line of descent stretching . Pais defeat of Hemi is a symbol that she is the leader for whom Koro is searching. 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. Identify some of the scenes in which this struggle is shown. 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. Such is the case with Keisha Castle Hughes. Hemis father is another. ForEnglish Language Arts Classes, the movie offers an opportunity to explore theme and the literary devices of characterization, metaphor, symbol, and foil. A few years pass in this way. The time is now. The bull whale is leading his herd through the frozen waters of Antarctica. Bridges to Reading Parenting Points Our ancestor, Paikea. He fails to be a strong presence in the life of his child. The old whale remembers the days when man and animal were united and in communication, but those are long past. Towards the end of the year, Kahu invites her family to a school ceremony that will include cultural presentations. hunting and gathering and some horticulture. All the whales of a herd come and to the beach and strand themselves there. The comment that Germany is just about as far from New Zealand as a person can get. One day, Koro takes some of his star pupils out to sea. 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 beginning of the movie starts out with the birth of 2 fraternal twins, with the grandfather patiently awaiting the birth of the son. Coming Soon. The women carry on with their lives accepting the men, yet criticizing the mens thinking. This whale rider casts spears as life-giving objects to the islands, but one spear he casts 1000 years into the future, which is the time of the storys young heroine Kahu. Koro tries to maintain order. Koros reaction to what Pai had done is yet another symbol. Sep 30, 2014. 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. Whale Rider streaming: where to watch online? When the prejudice is gone, they can fully enjoy Paikea. But he leads them on anyway to what they know will be their final journey. However, the great tragedy of the event is that Koro never shows up. "Not you, Hemi.". 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. The symbolic meaning stated by Koro is that each strand of the rope represents an ancestor with the rope being the tribe. He is influenced by the symbols of the unfolding world around him. She is a young girl with a strong and determined temperament and a soft and innocent heart. 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. He said of Castle-Hughes: "This is a movie star. and the The tribe founded by Paikea has always been led by the previous chief's firstborn son, in a line of descent stretching . Titre original: Whale Rider Popularit: 14.114 Dure: 97 Minutes Slogan: Dans les voies des anciens, elle a trouv un espoir pour l'avenir. Nanny orders Rawiri not to tell Koro of this strange incident, as he is not yet ready to accept Kahus special status. 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. 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 also secretly follows Koro's lessons. Teachers can modify the worksheets to fit the needs of each class. "[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." Discussion Questions Relating to Ethical Issues will facilitate the use of this film to teach ethical principles and critical viewing. While some humans take advantage of these whales to harvest their meat and organs, most of the locals of Whangara attempt to organize a rescue attempt and deliver the whales back to sea. What is revealed about Pai and her uncle in this episode? The eldest grandson of Koro and the elder brother of Rawiri, Porourangi is the chosen successor for his generation. However, he is unable to let go, and thoughts of returning to the place of his youth at whatever cost gnaw at his heart. 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. She is attuned to the traditional Mori way of life, and may have inherited the ability to speak to whales. Rawiri and his biker gang work with the police and rangers to keep whale butchers fro coming near the whales, while the navy is called in to attempt to pull the whales back out to sea. Paikeas father, Porourangi, is the most important example of this. GradeSaver, 6 April 2015 Web. New Zealand separated from the Antarctic portion of Gondwana about 82 million years ago, becoming geographically isolated. One of the students, Hemi, is also sympathetic towards her. Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro. If we'd gone somewhere else and tried to manufacture the surroundings and the ambience, then I think it would have been noticeable in the picture. Kahu finds Current time: coastal Maori village in New Zealand. TV Shows. Copyright Fandango. By the time the Europeans arrived in the late 1700s, the Maori were well-established. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. 8. 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. The whale mistakes Kahu for its old masterKahus ancient ancestor, Kahutia Te Rangi. She thinks that this will be the last time she will ever see her home and family and that accompanying the herd means losing all that she holds dear, but she sacrifices herself nonetheless and chooses to remain as the whale rider. There is no reason he should not be chief. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. Pomeranz said "Niki Caro has directed this uplifting story with great sensitivity, eliciting affecting performances from a sterling cast, and a wonderful one from newcomer Keisha Castle-Hughes. The focus shifts to a herd of whales. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. 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. The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth: Season 8, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 1, Link to Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Link to The Most Anticipated TV & Streaming Shows of March 2023. director of photography Film Editing by David Coulson Casting By Diana Rowan Production Design by Grant Major But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. [4] Plot [ edit] Carving of Paikea at Whangara 's marae Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. Prejudiced societies also lack a fundamental sense of justice and fairness. Our ancestor, Paikea. The bull whale is an ancient whale, about 65 feet long. Had Pai not been able to save the whales, she would not have been able to be Chief and pursue the life she wanted. His anguish is now doubled as he must accept that he has been so harsh to the very person he needed so badly this whole time. Then man arrived from the east, and the relationship between nature and man throve. Back in Whangara, big events soon take place. Jeff is a once-close friend of Rawiri's; they meet in Australia, where they share an apartment and become good friends.