Whale Rider
(2003)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. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants.... More
Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader, and is still upset that her twin brother died along with her mother in childbirth. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.Hide
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Winner of 9 awards, New Zealand Film & TV Awards 2003. Audience Award winner at Sundance Film Festival 2003.
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Directed by Niki Caro ('Memory & Desire')
Starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis
Written by Niki Caro (based on the novel by Witi Ihimaera)
Cinematographed by Leon Narbey
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 6 providers
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Whale Rider
BY Wice superstar
Its a long time since I saw this movie but it must have had a magic since I still remember quite a bit of it - a lot more than I can say about many movies. This is a special movie for Kiwi audiences. It touches our hearts and I doubt there would be many who would not enjoy it.
I thought Whale Rider was gorgeous. It showed me a side of my country I'd not seen before. Gently done, naturally acted, slow burning and really got under my skin.
The Press Reviews
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of critics recommend.
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