But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. a term of reference for of this tribe who have Paikea as their founding ancestor. 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. 10. All rights reserved. The world premiere was on 9 September 2002, at the Toronto International Film Festival. HEMI: For us fellas, to teach us the old ways and that. 2. The film was a coproduction between New Zealand and Germany. After students have seen the film, engage the class in a discussion about the themes of the story. There are many harms caused by any prejudice, including racism and sexism. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. Social-Emotional Learning Adapt the presentation to the needs of particular classes. [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. This is especially harmful to children who grow up as second-class citizens in a society that condones prejudice. 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. After the death of his wife and despite overwhelming pressure from Koro, Pai's father refuses to assume traditional leadership or finish the waka that he had started building for the baby son; instead, he moves to Germany to pursue a career as an artist. The narrator of this time period is Rawiri, her uncle. Best Actress nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes stars in this moving coming-of-age story, set in a modern-day Maori village. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". At this point, fearing Pai is lost, Nanny reveals to Koro that his granddaughter found the rei puta, and Koro is stunned into realizing the error of his ways. Later when Kahu also awakens, he tells her for the first time that he loves her. It was last revised on July 21, 2011. This only upsets Koro more, as he was hoping for a male descendent. 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. 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. Links to the Internet a tribe. 5. Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. Germany is very far away from the life of the tribe, in terms of both distance and culture. Invent a fictitious island inhabited by a tribe you create. Kahu finds Current time: coastal Maori village in New Zealand. Whale Rider [Maori title: Te Kaieke Tohora] is a 2002 film based on the book The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. The introduction will also lead to aha! moments as students recognize aspects of Maori culture described in the lecture while watching the film. When the prejudice is gone, they can fully enjoy Paikea. Pai wanted to show Koro how strong she was so he could love her. Hemi..what are their disappointments? 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 film earned $41.4 million[3] on a NZ$9,235,000 budget. The whale mistakes Kahu for its old masterKahus ancient ancestor, Kahutia Te Rangi. Kahu herself plays a prominent role in the ceremony. This symbolizes his inability to lead the tribe. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. 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. "'Never mind girl,' she said to baby Kahu. Rawiri accompanies him but eventually leaves due to the increasingly apparent racism ofRawiri's family (especially coming from his mother). [2] [3] In 2002 it was adapted into a film, Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro. The Question and Answer section for The Whale Rider is a great However his twin sister, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), survives. 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. Kahu Kahu is the chief protagonist of the story. Despite their joint efforts, the rope breaks and they walk away exhausted. 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. One traditional function of Maori women was the karanga, an exchange of calls that forms part of the Maori welcoming ceremony. This is clearly shown in the scene in which he rallies the tribe to try to save the whales. Although Pais grandfather, Koro, loves his granddaughter, he is determined to find a male to serve as his successor. Identify some of the scenes in which this struggle is shown. For the boy who would be chief." Pai: "My name is Paikea Apirana and I come from a long line of chiefs, stretching all the way back to the Whale Rider" Pai: "There was no gladness when I was born. Describe the symbols shown by this scene. She is a young girl with a strong and determined temperament and a soft and innocent heart. [11][12], This article is about the novel. However, no matter how many leadership qualities Rawiri may possess, he can never be chief because he is a second-born son. 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. Which of the evils of prejudice are shown operating in this movie? Like most other indigenous cultures, Maori tribes were no match for the diseases and gun-based military prowess of the Europeans. You're almost there! The Ta moko was predominately for males and among traditional Maori it was rare that a woman would have tattoos. Nanny is the wife of Koro and the motherly figure for most of the other main characters. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! 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. 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. The time is now. 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. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. During the course of his stay, Rawiri has to face racist behavior from Jeffs social circle, especially his mother. When Koro is cruel and refuses to respect her as a human being to be evaluated based on her character and abilities, she forgives him for his intransigence. The Chief's eldest son, Porourangi, fathers twins - a boy and a girl, but the boy and his . By the time the Europeans arrived in the late 1700s, the Maori were well-established. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. [4] Casting director Diana Rowan visited numerous schools to find an actress to play Pai. The Girl Who Could Every culture has principles that create a foundation for its belief system, and changing these principles is disdained. Most are now extinct. Suduiko, Aaron ed. Menu. Some Important Scenes & Quotations from Whale Rider 1. There is a vast difference between movies for 12-year-old girls, and movies about 12-year-old girls, and "Whale Rider" proves it. However, the great tragedy of the event is that Koro never shows up. Koro sees that as a sign of his failure and despairs further. Bridges to Reading Nanny does not think Koro is ready to accept this and does not tell him. Kahu does not mind all this anger from Koro though, and she continues to fervently seek his love and acceptance. . An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes. 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. Terms and Policies 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. And if knowledge is given to everyone, we can have lots of leaders. Copyright Fandango. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. 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 whale has to balance between current responsibilities as leader of the herd on one hand, and nostalgia for past times on the other. 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. whangara iri. 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. Their future is conceived in an entirely utopian manneras the rediscovery of tribal roots and assertion of cultural traditions and spiritualityseparated entirely from that of the working class." 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 is the chief protagonist of the story. 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. This is a symbol for her ability to lead the tribe in a way that Koro cannot. It was assembled from parts of previous supercontinents by the Late Precambrian time, some 600 million years ago. 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. She bears a deep love for her mate and thus is concerned about his growing desire to return to the islands of his youth. 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. TWM has not read the book. Pai feels that she can become the leader (although no woman has ever done so) and is determined to succeed. "[12][13] Ebert later went on to name it as one of the ten best films of 2003. Finally, the Whale Rider script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Niki Caro movie with Keisha Castle-Hughes. Worksheet for Cinematic and Theatrical Elements and Their Effects. Pai Ihimaera's The Whale Rider The summary of The Whale Rider is about a young girl, named Pai, who wants to be chief. Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro. PG-13 (Momentary Drug Reference|Brief Language), Kids & family, The story is all about how the Maori people will hold on to their tradition while navigating the strange tides of modern times. When Pai is found and brought to the hospital, Koro declares her the leader and asks for her forgiveness. The Maori were fierce warriors and would, at times, dine on their conquered enemies. Discussion Questions Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Whale Rider introduces its protagonist, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), experiencing a trauma shared by countless other Disney heroines: her mother's death. 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. Living in the village or even in New Zealand would have reminded him of this loss. The story is all about how the Maori people will hold on to their tradition while navigating the strange tides of modern times. We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. The bull whale eventually agrees and they return Kahu, now unconscious, to Whangara. Maori children were taught about their ancestors by memorizing the names of the person represented by each notch. Whale Rider streaming: where to watch online? Her koro Apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. 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. 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. 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. "[7] The whale beaching was depicted using full-scale models created by Auckland-based Glasshammer Visual Effects. He teaches the boys to use a taiaha (fighting stick), which is traditionally reserved for males. This shows that he thinks Pais leadership would be dangerous to the tribe, despite the fact that she can do what he cannot. Director Niki Caro Writers Niki Caro Witi Ihimaera (book "The Whale Rider") Stars Keisha Castle-Hughes Rawiri Paratene Vicky Haughton See production, box office & company info Watch on Freevee 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]. When he tells Pai that he cannot be what Koro wants, Pai says, Me neither. Two other reasons are worth mentioning. Read the Study Guide for The Whale Rider, Tradition as a Tool for Oppressing Women in Witi Ihimaeras The Whale Rider, The Influence of Beliefs on Individual Life in Witi Ihimaeras The Whale Rider., View Wikipedia Entries for The Whale Rider. For the boy who would be chief. 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. 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 . With the loss of the rei puta, Koro in despair calls out the ancient ones, the whales. Although the young New Zealand girl dreams of . One of the students, Hemi, is also sympathetic towards her. . 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. 6. 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. The Whale Rider Summary The story begins with a focus on the ancient days, when nature and all wildlife were excitedly waiting for the coming of man. Nanny is connected in lineage to Muriwai, a brave, independent ancestress, famous for her strength. More books than SparkNotes. A man to lead a new people. 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. And soon everyone will be strong, not just the ones that have been chosen. She also secretly follows Koro's lessons. Whale Rider watch online free. If Porourangi had tried to stay in New Zealand, he would have had to constantly face Koros disapproval. Watch Whale Rider: The Descendants Of Paikea, Watch Whale Rider: Pai Dives Into The Water. Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro. TALKING AND PLAYING WITH MOVIES: AGES 3-8, FILM ADAPTATIONS OF NOVELS, SHORT STORIES, OR PLAYS, FICTION (SOAPS, DRAMAS, AND REALITY/SURVIVAL SHOW), Worksheet for Cinematic and Theatrical Elements and Their Effects, Te Ika a Maui: or, New Zealand and its inhabitants, by RR Taylor, p. 379; and. 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. The oldest of the matrons of the whale herd, this whale is the bull whale's dearest companion. There are several possible reasons. Her koro Apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. In an attempt to help, Pai also calls out to them and they hear her call. But a lot of the credit has to go to newcomer Keisha Castle-Hughes, who gives an amazingly heartbreaking performance that's incredibly compelling. " Women, like men, should try to do the impossible, and when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others."-. 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. Rawiri, Porourangi and Nanny all attend, but the seat marked reserved next to Nannya measure Kahu herself had taken to guarantee a spot for Kororemains conspicuously empty throughout the ceremony. Dont worry, it wont take long. As for Kahu, she has returned to stay with her father longer-term. "The Whale Rider Characters". The Question and Answer section for The Whale Rider is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter She is attuned to the traditional Mori way of life, and may have inherited the ability to speak to whales. He is also skilled in the art of fighting with war sticks, which in the movie is a symbol for being able to be a Maori chief. The tribe founded by Paikea has always been led by the previous chief's firstborn son, in a line of descent stretching . Pais father needed to distance himself from the place where he lived with his wife and where he lost both his wife and his son. 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. This custom died out by the end of the 1800s, although Maori continued tattooing other parts of their bodies. What idea in this speech offers the solution to the problem faced by both Koro and the Maori as a whole? Rawiri thus spends two years in that country with Jeff; they attempt to cultivate the land. 9. He needs to find individuals who will be able to carry the burden of leadership and navigate the Maori people through the chaotic waters of modernity. Another example of family dysfunction is Hemis father. Coming Soon. [6] Producer John Barnett said "This novel was set in Whangara and it would almost have been heresy to shoot anywhere else. The Whale Rider Quotes and Analysis. The film received critical acclaim upon its release. The website's critical consensus states, "An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes". 8. Expectations and disappointments. Whale Rider - Full Cast & Crew. The comment that Germany is just about as far from New Zealand as a person can get. Such is the case with Keisha Castle Hughes. 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. Parenting Points Term. Discussion questions and suggested responses are provided below. 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. 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 Paikea became the ruler of the people who lived on the islands. 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. Enjoy this movie with your children. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. She respects and loves both her grandfather and Maori tribal traditions. Good performances by all the leads though the story worries around a barn door being open long, long after the horse has already gone. Cebeci, Ali. The karanga occurs in the first 60 seconds of the segment.