Thus, sending Porourangi to Germany advances the plot. Read critic reviews. He ran his plantation until being struck by a debilitating injury, and now relies on his son to take care of their land. The revered figure of Whangara's Maori people and Kahu's direct ancestor, the whale rider develops an extremely close bond with a whale. Paikea became the ruler of the people who lived on the islands. You're almost there! There, he meets Jeff and the two become fast friends. The bull whale leads his herd away from their most-feared predator: mankind. However, the great tragedy of the event is that Koro never shows up. Rawiri accompanies him but eventually leaves due to the increasingly apparent racism ofRawiri's family (especially coming from his mother). An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes. Waiting for a leader. When he tells Pai that he cannot be what Koro wants, Pai says, Me neither. Two other reasons are worth mentioning. " Women, like men, should try to do the impossible, and when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others."-. A rope is seen in the episode in which the villagers try to help the beached whales return to the sea. 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. [6] In 1995 it was translated into Mori by Tmoti Kretu, as Te kaieke tohor. 6. 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 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. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". In the absence of swift and agile mammalian predators, some species of birds had lost the ability to fly. See Questions Suitable for Any Film That is a Work of Fiction. The ____ family in the movie, despite their beliefs or rituals, can be just like an American family, or any other one. The Maori were the first human beings to live in New Zealand and brought with them a highly evolved Stone Age culture. New Zealand separated from the Antarctic portion of Gondwana about 82 million years ago, becoming geographically isolated. Pai is intelligent, patient, and fun. Selected Awards & Cast, Using the Movie in the Classroom [5], The Whale Rider has been a worldwide bestseller, and is the most-translated work by a New Zealand author. Describe the symbols shown by this scene. Uncle Rawiri is an interesting character and in many ways a foil for Paikea. If Pai had a brother, he would become chief, but her only brother, her twin, died at birth, along with their mother. 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. Despite their joint efforts, the rope breaks and they walk away exhausted. She leads a group of young girls in a traditional dance and also recites a speech she wrote in the Maori tongue. director of photography Film Editing by David Coulson Casting By Diana Rowan Production Design by Grant Major 545 Words3 Pages. Then man arrived from the east, and the relationship between nature and man throve. Discussion Questions Relating to Ethical Issues will facilitate the use of this film to teach ethical principles and critical viewing. Hemis father comes to see his son for a brief part of the ceremony at the school and then leaves with his friends. Assignments and Projects If Porourangi had tried to stay in New Zealand, he would have had to constantly face Koros disapproval. 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. [2][3] In 2002 it was adapted into a film, Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro.[4]. See also Assignments, Projects, and Activities for Use With Any Film that is a Work of Fiction. In desperation, Kahu swims out to the whale and climbs up its back after communicating with it. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. This love remains unreciprocated, as Koro actively pushes her away. Castle-Hughes impressed Caro in the resulting workshop and was cast as Pai. The Maori, the native Polynesian people of New Zealand, are looking for a male descendant of Paikea the brave leader who escaped death on the back of a whale to lead them and restore the traditions. He remains dedicated in his mission to find a suitable successor, and he is doing all he can as leader of the Whangara Maori community to preserve the Maori culture for future generations in a time of spreading modernity. During the course of his stay, Rawiri has to face racist behavior from Jeffs social circle, especially his mother. Pai is originally born a twin, but her twin brother and her mother died during childbirth. 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. 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. Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for the 2004 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Identify some of the scenes in which this struggle is shown. He said of Castle-Hughes: "This is a movie star. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. While her grandfather, Koro, later forms an affectionate bond with his granddaughter, carrying her to school every day on his bicycle, he also condemns her and blames her for conflicts within the tribe. 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. 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. Bridges to Reading And soon everyone will be strong, not just the ones that have been chosen. Links to the Internet Part II begins with another short focus on the whale herd. Pa : l'lue d'un peuple nouveau streaming vf gratuit francais. whangara iri. Whale Rider [Maori title: Te Kaieke Tohora] is a 2002 film . They include: leadership, unity with the Maori culture, and knowledge of that culture. Voila! These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. [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". A young girl might fulfill a prophecy in an indigenous New Zealand community. Students can then be asked to take a deeper look and research questions that have been discussed in class. All the whales of a herd come and to the beach and strand themselves there. comes - then goes off so soon with his mates. He is influenced by the symbols of the unfolding world around him. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Whale Rider. Maori tradition provides that only first born sons can be chief. Pai argues on behalf of egalitarian leadership, asserting that anyone with knowledge can be of value to the tribe and that strength can be found in having several types of leaders rather than one. What does this suggest about the tribes problems? The relationship between Paikea and her grandfather is exceptionally well-written and feels remarkably real. TV Shows. One relationship in particular -- that between the whale rider and his giant whale -- was exemplaryof a symbiotic connection. 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. What does it symbolize? with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. Germany is very far away from the life of the tribe, in terms of both distance and culture. You will never be lost to us.'". He is the grandson of Koro and thus the uncle of Kahu. At that time, the fauna of New Zealand was dominated by insects and birds. The movie won many awards at film festivals. There are many harms caused by any prejudice, including racism and sexism. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. subsistance is based on. But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene). Towards the end of the year, Kahu invites her family to a school ceremony that will include cultural presentations. 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. Parenting Points Whale Rider introduces its protagonist, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), experiencing a trauma shared by countless other Disney heroines: her mother's death. The Whale Rider essays are academic essays for citation. 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. She demonstrates racist tendencies when Rawiri comes to help them maintain their plantation. Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for the 2004 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. Called Ta moko,, they consist of important symbols that help individuals express their unique identities. Setting. 1. 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. 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. 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. For example, Koro calls Porourangis art souvenirs. The old man blames Porourangi for not producing a son and heir to the chieftainship. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. 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. [10] Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton of The Movie Show both gave the film four out of five stars. 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. A man to lead a new people. Whale Rider was theatrically released in 2003 in New Zealand and Germany. This is a symbol for her ability to lead the tribe in a way that Koro cannot. Just confirm how you got your ticket. He notes that when all of the threads are woven together they make a strong rope. 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. "The Whale Rider Characters". The Question and Answer section for The Whale Rider is a great PG-13 (Momentary Drug Reference|Brief Language), Kids & family, It is Pai who saves the whales and, in so doing convinces, her grandfather that she should be Chief. In an attempt to help, Pai also calls out to them and they hear her call. 10,000 children were auditioned before narrowing it down to 12. Why does Porourangi, Koros first born son and Pais father, leave home and live in faraway Germany? 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. She persists and fights for what she wants. Bibliography. "[16], The film has also been discussed and praised widely within academia. Back in Whangara, big events soon take place. Porourangi, the girls father, is his eldest grandson so he is the successor for that generation. 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. This brings Kahu to tears. The Maori were fierce warriors and would, at times, dine on their conquered enemies. 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. However, Koro was late, and as he was walking to the school, he notices that numerous southern right whales are beached near Pai's home. 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. They organize all available vehicles and manpower down on the beach and attempt all sorts of measures to get the bull whale back to sea, but the giant creature stubbornly resists and continues to wait for itself to die on the shore. As a result,Koro spends a lot of time training him and bringing him along on trips pertaining to Maori legal and social issues. Back home, Rawiri notes that Koro has become even more obsessed in his mission of finding a male successor. Though the film brims with authenticity, it is almost too authentic. 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. 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. Viewers also learn that Uncle Rawiri was once a champion with this traditional Maori way of fighting, although now he appears to be lazy, fat, and a user of drugs and alcohol. 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. Using the Movie in the Classroom The Ta moko was predominately for males and among traditional Maori it was rare that a woman would have tattoos. 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. He teaches the boys to use a taiaha (fighting stick), which is traditionally reserved for males. Whale Rider also provides an occasion for research, oral presentations, and essay writing required skills in most ELA curricula. Pai confidently declares she'll find it and dives into the water. His mother says that this stems from the fact that he is a second born son and therefor, according to Maori tradition, he can never become chief. 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. Rawiri is the primary narrator of the story. "[7] The whale beaching was depicted using full-scale models created by Auckland-based Glasshammer Visual Effects. Later when Kahu also awakens, he tells her for the first time that he loves her. However, he wants to be an artist and this causes conflict which he resolves by moving to Germany. Based on 155 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an overall approval rating from critics of 91%, with an average score of 7.77 as of October 2020. It is the present day, but the director has been careful not to be specific. Kahu is the chief protagonist of the story. hierarchy exists. Social-Emotional Learning This part concludes with another momentous event. Not only is this the land of her father's family, but it is also . 3. This is called hongi, a gesture that is the social equivalent of a handshake or a kiss on both cheeks. 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. 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. 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 oldest of the matrons of the whale herd, this whale is the bull whale's dearest companion. For society as a whole, prejudice limits the contribution that the victims can make. 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. At age 12, she enlists the help of her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and the training of her uncle (Grant Roa) to claim her birthright. Pai, the protagonist, briefly explains the story of Paikeia, the legendary Whale Rider who founded Maori civilization. It wasnt anybodys fault, it just happened. One traditional function of Maori women was the karanga, an exchange of calls that forms part of the Maori welcoming ceremony. He is accidentally killed by Jeff in a car accident. "The Whale Rider Summary". But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. In modern times, the interior rooms of Maori meeting houses are places sacred to the ancestors. 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. Drama Family A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Benefits of the Movie Had Pai not been able to save the whales, she would not have been able to be Chief and pursue the life she wanted. 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. Waiting to be filled up. 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. The symbol is that even with everyone in the tribe pulling together, the purpose cannot be accomplished without the proper leader. Encourage students to discuss what was happening in. 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. Hemis father is another. Coming Soon. She clearly asserts that tradition can hinder progress. 8. investigate the sexism found in modern societies and recent changes in gender roles. His father was a Chief in Hawaiiki with many wives and numerous children. Copyright Fandango. By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Using this knowledge, she defeats Hemi, a boy trained by Koro himself. She respects and loves both her grandfather and Maori tribal traditions. This link will take you to a video of the scene from the movie in which a karanga is called and answered as students are welcomed to the opening of their new school. In the novel . Back on the shore, Koro finally realizes Kahus special status and her suitability to lead. In this story, the Taiaha, the ability to fight with war sticks is a symbol. The scenes with Hemi - at the performance when his dad. The whale mistakes Kahu for its old masterKahus ancient ancestor, Kahutia Te Rangi. 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.. [4] Casting director Diana Rowan visited numerous schools to find an actress to play Pai. It is possible that Hawaiiki was one of the Hawaiian islands. 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. It was assembled from parts of previous supercontinents by the Late Precambrian time, some 600 million years ago. 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. The film received critical acclaim upon its release. Suduiko, Aaron ed. Moral-Ethical Emphasis Then he is excluded from the boat. 12. Throughout the film she struggles to try to become the leader causing a heap of conflict. In the 1700s, when Europeans first arrived in New Zealand, it was common for Maori to have tattoos covering their entire face. All rights reserved. See also Discussion questions numbered 3, 8 and 10. "'Never mind girl,' she said to baby Kahu. 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. Links to the Internet Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. Two additional interesting assignments are: A. Finally, the tribe would not have had a leader that it needed, had the prejudice against having a female chief been maintained. Another symbolic action in the scene occurs when Pai ties the rope and uses it to make the engine start. 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. 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. 2. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. Touching and powerful, Whale Rider is extraordinarily well-crafted film. The Maori found them to be easy prey and quickly killed them off. Good performances by all the leads though the story worries around a barn door being open long, long after the horse has already gone. Bibliography. She is a young girl with a strong and determined temperament and a soft and innocent heart. Although the young New Zealand girl dreams of . Back home he cracks under all the pressure and weeps. Watch Whale Rider: The Descendants Of Paikea, Watch Whale Rider: Pai Dives Into The Water. Kahu returns to Whangara several times when she is able. Returning to Kahus tale, Rawiri narrates that he decided to see a bit of the world when Kahu was in her fourth year. 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]. Then man arrived from the east, and the relationship between nature and man throve. The many harms caused to victims of prejudice can be placed into two classes. 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. When she is born, her great-grandfather expresses great disdain that she is a girl. The bull whale pulls itself onto shore and strands itself there, waiting for its death. Part 3 begins, as usual, by focusing on the whale herd. Nanny does not think Koro is ready to accept this and does not tell him. Paikeas father, Porourangi, is the most important example of this. Now, so many years after their separation, the nostalgia for their time spent together cuts away at the old bull whale. Cebeci, Ali. Suduiko, Aaron ed. Paikea: In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. The waka was given to the Whangara community after filming concluded.[5]. The results of their research can be presented to the class in oral reports or serve as the basis for a writing assignment. It was waiting. Nanny tells Pai that her uncle, Rawiri, knows some things worth knowing . Which of the evils of prejudice are shown operating in this movie? In the film Whale Rider depicts a culture in transition. Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro. However his twin sister, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), survives. ", The film had budget of NZ$9,235,000. 4. 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. Invent a fictitious island inhabited by a tribe you create. Pai ties the rope together and then easily starts the engine. 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. The movie was based on the novel, The Whale Rider by Witi Tame Ihimaera. Pais grandmother can be highly critical of Koro, yet she tolerates him using humor. 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. [17], Whale Rider grossed US$41 million worldwide.[3]. 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. 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. In 2005, the film was named on the BFI List of the 50 Films You Should See By the Age of 14. They are forced to travel to other havens as this long-time home for them has become too inhospitable to live in. He tells her that what she did was dangerous. 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. 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. 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. 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. Kahu finds Current time: coastal Maori village in New Zealand. However, if you can relate the situation of Paikea or the grandfather to a struggle being waged by someone your child knows, it would be worthwhile to highlight the connection with a comment. This custom died out by the end of the 1800s, although Maori continued tattooing other parts of their bodies. Although Pais grandfather, Koro, loves his granddaughter, he is determined to find a male to serve as his successor. The bull whale eventually agrees and they return Kahu, now unconscious, to Whangara. See production, box office & company info. At one point, Paikea decides to live with her father because her grandfather says he doesn't want her. Koro recognizes in this event a spiritual warning to him and his people; their test is to return this ancient whale back to sea because they are so connected to this supernatural whale herd that if it lives they live and f it dies they die. As demonstrated throughout the movie, all People share the same type of emotions: they get upset, angry, sad, happy, indiffeent and happy. At their head is a great bull whale with an ancient sacred Maori tattoo. 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.
Which Northern Ireland Football Teams Are Catholic?,
Articles W