Based on Witi Ihimaeras novel of the same name, Niki Caros Whale Rider is a moving depiction of a young Maori girl battling to overturn the patriarchal traditions of her Ngati Konohi tribal community. Similar themes are also discovered in Swallow the Air (2006) exploring the course to discovery and the sometimes devastating circumstances that t the quest for an understanding of ones cultural heritage. To make matters worse, he names his daughter Paikea, which angers Koro who sees this as a mockery of Ngati Konohi customs and tradition. 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. She rises to her grandfathers disapproval and even Whale Rider tells the story of Pai, who faces the subtle resentment of her grandfather Koro as he attempts to re-establish the old traditions of their ancestors. The Essay Writing ExpertsUK Essay Experts. Something in a larger and more significant scale, that brings together all of the themes of the film into a magnificent final sequence. When Kahu is nine years old, a group of about 200 whales are stranded in shallow waters. This story has a strong female leader who never gave up in what she thought her destiny was. Indeed, as Sison suggests, the cultural milieu of Whale Rider is characterised by the ongoing Maori quest for soul and identity in the postcolonial aftermath (Sison 2012: 122), and it is these themes, as well as female empowerment, which underpin the narrative. Throughout the novel, Ihimaera juxtaposes the migration of a herd of whales with the Maori tribe's search for a male heir. Copyright 2003 - 2023 - UKEssays is a trading name of Business Bliss Consultants FZE, a company registered in United Arab Emirates. Her father, Porourangi, and Koro convinced Nanny Flowers that this was a good idea. This highlights the tensions between the traditional and the modern in Maori culture, with Koros stringent following of the tribes ancient traditions leading him to alienate his own kin, despite the fact that Pai shows more promise than any of the other boys. He takes the remaining boys out to sea in his speedboat and throws his whale-tooth necklace overboard stating that he needs someone to demonstrate the spirit needed to recover the necklace (which symbolises the tribes connection to their ancestors). Registered address: Louki Akrita, 23 Bellapais Court, Flat/Office 46 1100, Nicosia, Cyprus Analysis of the Whale Rider The film's plot follows the story of Paikea Apirana ("Pai") [In the book, her name is Kahu, short for Kahutia Te Rangi], a 12-year-old girl who is the only living child in the line of the tribe's chiefly succession following the death of her twin brother and mother when she was born. Janet Wilson, Re-representing Indigeneity: Approaches to History in recent New Zealand Australian Films, in Alistair Fox, Barry Keith Grant and Hilary Radner, (eds), New Zealand Cinema: Interpreting the Past, Bristol, Intellect, 2011, pp. Her father refuses leadership, and returns to Germany, but Paikea is interested, even though she is a female and it goes against all tradition. Need a custom essay sample written specially to meet your In the end everyone from the village is celebrating her status as a leader, and working together, the waka is finished and is taken into the sea. 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The film ends with the village, including Pais father, uncle, and grandparents, celebrating her status as leader, as the finished waka is hauled into the sea for its maiden voyage. The whale leads the entire pod back into the sea; Paikea nearly drowns in the process. Chapter 1 begins in myth, and myths explain what was once unexplainable to a people. The movie, which takes place in the present day in New Zealand, begins with the birth of twins. Unable to cope with the loss of his wife and son, Porourangi emigrates to Europe to pursue a career as an artist, turning his back on his Maori heritage and repurposing his traditional carving skills towards a more international and commercial market. I recite these facts right at the top of this review because I fear you might make a hasty judgment that you don't want to see a movie about a 12-year-old Maori girl who dreams of becoming the chief of her people. By continuing, well assume you agree with our Cookies policy. (1998: 139), this highlights a form of colonial mimicry, whereby the indigenous population adopts the colonisers cultural habits. " Do you think that the whale is as old . Identity can be assumed as the state of being oneself. Without the author's use of actual time and place, Irving's tale would not have the same force or strength as an American myth. Towards the ending of the film Koro notices numerous whales are beached near the home. Koro was very upset when Kahu was born because she was a girl, and since then has ignored her, even though she loves him very much and wants his affection. Rawiri takes up the challenge with fervour and not only trains Paikea to be the best in the tribe but also recovers his own sense of identity and self worth. (Smith 2006: 113). This is traditionally reserved for males. She finished the paper in a timely manner! Marginalised from contemporary New Zealand society, the Maori community is ostensibly struggling in rural poverty and obscurity; rusting car wrecks and abandoned machinery litter the otherwise idyllic Whangara coastline (the northeast region of New Zealands North Island where the film was shot), emphasising the intrusion of Western/Pakeha culture and the effects of modernity. An error occurred trying to load this video. Stephanie loves to read and has a bachelors degree in History. Though the film has a strong female character, there are still male dominant elements throughout it. Shes only twelve years old. Her family thought she would die, but they soon realize that she is the whale rider. This novel unfolds the history of the Maori Tribe that by tradition the new chief would be the first born son directly descended from their ancient ancestor Paikea. Another reason why Koro pushes her away is because he believes that everything went wrong when she was born. Download Free PDF. After Koro realizes how sacred and special Kahu is, he sees the error of his ways and finally accepts Kahu. Paikea, realising what she was destined to do, proceeds to ride the large whale, sparking it into life, followed by the rest of the pod. Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro.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. Unbeknown to Koro, Rawiri later takes Pai out in the boat, who not only finds the necklace, but also manages to catch a lobster as a present for her grandfather. In the film Whale Rider depicts a culture in transition. Im not a prophet, but I know that our people will keep going forward, all together, with all of their strength.. The beautifully poetic style and twin narrative lends itself to the analysis of language.To automatically receive all the latest news on New Windmills, why not sign-up for our Heinemann Literature eNewsletter? The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera Buy Study Guide 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. Unfortunately the tradition was broken when Pais twin brother passes away. The texts we have studied in class Yolngu Boy and Whale Rider are excellent examples of how important cultural identity and belief are in communities. Cinematographer: Leon Narbey. This relationship is ambivalent since the colonised subject is never completely opposed to the coloniser. Challenge. Even the elder women of the community are shown playing cards and smoking. Explores intrinsically linked ideas of discovery through the lens of cultural identity and heritage. what's in your head? Living in Whangara, a small Maori village in New Zealand. What Koro does not understand is that Pai is the leader they have been waiting for. Until one person prepares to make the sacrifice to save the peoplethe Whale Rider. The other roles are also strongly cast, especially Rawiri Paratene and Vicky Haughton as the grandparents. Free shipping for many products! I feel like its a lifeline. Whale Rider Photo Credit: Everett Collection Character Analysis (Avoiding Spoilers) Growing Up without ever knowing her mother or twin brother. By the uncle being lazy he has gained weight and is not slim like before. Pharapreising and interpretation due to major educational standards released by a particular educational institution as well as tailored to your educational institution if different; This confidence was shattered when all boys failed in his final test of leadership, they have lost Koros closest symbolic representation of his faith: the whales tooth. But, no, her people need her--whether or not her grandfather realizes it. the speedboat and tractor) connotes the complex mix of attraction and repulsion that characterises the relationship between the coloniser and colonised (Ashcroft et al., 1998: 12). Koros relationship with Pai erodes further when none of the boys succeed at the traditional task of recovering the rei puta (whale tooth) that he threw into the ocean this mission would prove one of them worthy of becoming leader. We will write a custom Essay on Face Negotiation Theory in the Film "Whale Rider" specifically for you. The story follows a 12-year-old Maori girl named Paikea Apirana who struggles to earn her . When Pai is the only remaining family descendent, Koro becomes aggravated because she is female and will not be able to carry on the tradition of men as leaders. Years later Koro is determined to find a leader and begins to teach and train the boys, in which Pai is not allowed to join because she is a girl. He explains to Nanny that his son can have another child. The Whale Rider tells two stories. Eventually the rest of the tribe make their way to the shore, with the beached whales igniting in them a communal strength they believed was forgotten as they work tirelessly to lure the whales back towards the ocean. The Whale Rider by Ihimaera, Witi at AbeBooks.co.uk - ISBN 10: 1439517193 - ISBN 13: 9781439517192 - 2008 . Whale Rider 15th Anniversary Edition . Journeys motivate the travellers to overcome their specific obstacles and undergo change. the boat is called a waka What was the whales name in. It won the audience awards as the most popular film at both the Toronto and Sundance film festivals, played to standing ovations, left audiences in tears. Since the largest whale traditionally belongs to the legendary Paikea. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Over the years family has been defined in many different ways through many perspectives. She stands up for what she believes even in the face of the adults around her, and isnt afraid to take risks to do whats right. Whale Rider is a contemporary re-telling of the 1000-year-old legend about legendary first ancestor named Paikea. to help you write a unique paper. The picture book by Colin Thompson,, Beneath the Clouds, Ivan Sen, Road Movie 2002, shows perceptions of personal discovery. Another example of how the culture is unhealthy is when Pai goes to her uncle Rawiris house to ask if he can teach her taiaha, the uncle is just lying down being lazy with his wife smoking. (2016, Oct 19). While Kahu was visiting the family when she was two years old, she saw whales at the beach on the way back from a trip to the movies with her uncle Rawiri. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you So the focus of the eye humanizes the whale and connects the young girl to the animal. The beginning of the film 'Whale Rider' introduces the characters in a close-up camera shot. All work is written to order. RyanMottesheard, Girl Power: New ZealandWriter/ Director Niki Caro Talks About Whale Rider, IndieWire, June 6, 2003. She understood my main topic well and follow the instruction accordingly. In the film, Whale Rider, through mythical creation powers, the hero endeavors to save her dying culture. There is a scene set at a school ceremony, where Pai has composed a work in honor of her people and asked her grandfather to attend. 'I heard helicopters whirling around and the ships in the river using all their sirens - a whale had This book is called The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. The old Chief is convinced that the tribes misfortunes began at Pais birth, and calls for his people to bring their firstborn boys to him for training. Three months after Kahu was born, her mother, Rehua, died. Pai believes that she could serve as the chief, but her grandfather, despite his love, fiercely opposes this idea. Production Company: South Pacific Pictures, ApolloMedia Distribution, Pandora Filmproduktion. Her mother died giving birth, and her twin brother never had a chance. This technique stresses the notion of even items separated by time being interconnected which makes them part of the oneness of the world. A letter she wrote to Rawiri while he was in Papua New Guinea read, "'I am seven. He is certain that through a process of teaching the ancient chants, tribal lore and warrior techniques, the future leader of their tribe will be revealed to him. In the film Whale Rider depicts a culture in transition. convincing her grandfather, Koro, that even though shes a girl, shes still worthy to become leader of the tribe. Pai states, My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the whale rider. Pai is just a young girl in the beginning of the film, and a leader in the end. Director and Screenwriter: Niki Caro. Personality determined, wise, and sensitive. Free delivery for many products! Many centuries ago a legendary ancestor named Paikea brought there the Maori people, who still lives there. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. Koro is equally as upset because he feels that this is a sign for his people. The Whale Rider starts a thousand years ago, with a pod of whales. The movie seems headed for the ancient cliche of the auditorium door which opens at the last moment to reveal the person that the child onstage desperately hopes to see--but no, that's not what happens. While he does later form an affectionate bond with his granddaughter, carrying her to school every day on his bicycle, he also resents her and blames her for many of the troubles facing the tribe. All People have the same emotions: they upset and cry, they feel happy and laugh. The Piano (1993 Movie): Summary, Analysis, Avatar: Story telling in the tradition of the legend, Analysis of cinematography and mise-en-scene of a short sequence from Alfred Hitchcock's Blackmail, Zemlya / Earth (1930 Movie) - Summary - Analysis. The rope proceeds to break when he tests it, which is further indication to Koro that the sacred line of the tribe is broken, that their ancestors have abandoned them in the face of modernity. Ever since the time of the whale rider, Kahu's tribe has been ruled by a male chief. There's an amusing sequence where they practice looking ferocious to scare their enemies. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
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