Mar 24 2008
Classic Whale Rider
Review : Whale Rider : a gripping mystical fable and simply one of the most beautiful films I have seen in my entire life.
Not so much a Weekend Read but a Weekend Watch.
When his canoe capsized a thousand years ago, Paikea escaped death by riding to shore on the back of a whale.
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people honour this great ancestor and the Whangara chiefs are considered Paikea’s direct descendants.
Pai believes she is destined to be the new chief but her grandfather, Koro, knows he must choose a male heir. Although a thousand years of tradition and a deep love for her grandfather battle in the 11 year old Pai, she must fight to fulfill her destiny.
The mythic whale rider, ultimate symbol of Maori connection to Nature, is also the harbinger of that destiny. As relatives, the whales are bound by obligations to the people, just as the people are bound by obligation to them, and Pai’s spirit is drawn throughout the film to these great creatures.
There is a magnificent scene with beached whales where Pai greets one in Maori fashion, passing breath through her nose to symbolically transfer life. The extraordinary Keisha Castle-Hughes as Pai truly does breathe life into every scene with a commanding vitality and astonishing power. The depth of her character resides in her simultaneous quest for equality and her understanding of her grandfather’s unyielding attachment to patriarchal values.
The story unfolds elegantly with Maori music and rituals bridging the spoken dialogue (mostly in English, some in Maori with subtitles).
This is a story of family relationships, of remembering and returning to where you came from, of generational conflict, and a lesson in acceptance. It’s also a gripping mystical fable and simply one of the most beautiful films I have seen in my entire life. Have a look at the trailer and see for yourself
Region 1 Encoding for USA and Canada only
Whale Rider at amazon.com
Whale Rider at amazon.ca
Region 2 Encoding for Europe, Japan, South Africa, Egypt and the Middle East
Whale Rider at amazon.uk
Also recommended
Lonely Planet New Zealand. When it comes to Guides, you just can’t beat Lonely Planet
and the provoking The Whale and the Supercomputer : On the Northern Front of Climate Change
What a great review! I am adding this movie to my list of movies to rent. You write beautifully.
It sounds like a beautiful movie and you give it a great review. I am going to have to watch it.
It’s a beautiful movie. Have a look at the trailer
I’ve seen this movie, and I can 2nd the recommendation. It was as beautiful story wise as it was to look at. Even better, it’s something you can watch and learn from as a family.
I agree … great movie. My 9 year old daughter watched it about 10 times and kept asking me if she was part Maori.
Yes, it’s hard to get something that the whole family can watch together and everyone be entertained. And as Jodith points out, you can learn from it too… without having a message bashed into your skull with a mallet.
Keep that girl of yours away from the ocean Dale, we don’t want her swimming out searching for whales.