A man to lead a new people. The introduction will also lead to aha! moments as students recognize aspects of Maori culture described in the lecture while watching the film. The movie was based on the novel, The Whale Rider by Witi Tame Ihimaera. 2. Setting. For the film, see, Storylines Children's Literature Foundation of New Zealand Notable Books List, "The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera Read by Jay Lagaaia | Audiobook Review", "Reading Resolution: "The Whale Rider" by Witi Ihimaera", "The Most Translated Books From Every Country in the World", "Te Kaieke Tohor by Witi Ihimaera, n Tmoti Kretu i whakamori", "Remarkable Kiwis win the non-fiction Children's Choice award | Scoop News", "Film-making in the service of identity politics", "The God of Small Things to Shuggie Bain: the Queen's jubilee book list", "The Big Jubilee Read: Books from 1982 to 1991", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Whale_Rider&oldid=1088553471, This page was last edited on 18 May 2022, at 18:34. HEMI: For us fellas, to teach us the old ways and that. 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." ", The film had budget of NZ$9,235,000. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. [2] It received $2.5 million from the New Zealand Film Production Fund. Drama, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR, All Upcoming Disney Movies: New Disney Live-Action, Animation, Pixar, Marvel, 20th Century, And Searchlight, Filmmaker Selects: Gina Prince-Bythewoods 10 Movies For Womens History Month, 87 Fearless Women Movie Heroes Who Inspire Us. Whale Rider (2002) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Niki Caro Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) verified as complete Produced by Music by Lisa Gerrard Cinematography by Leon Narbey . Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. 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. The indie film Whale Rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. Such is the case with Keisha Castle Hughes. He can spare only a few minutes to watch his son at the ceremony and is then off with his friends. Thus, sending Porourangi to Germany advances the plot. For example, according to tradition, Paikeas father should stay in the village and assume the role of Chief. The film's plot follows the story of Paikea Apirana ("Pai"). Rawiri accompanies him but eventually leaves due to the increasingly apparent racism ofRawiri's family (especially coming from his mother). (Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule; Be tolerant of differences; Use good manners, not bad language; Be considerate of the feelings of others; Dont threaten, hit or hurt anyone; Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements). Our ancestor, Paikea. When Pai is found and brought to the hospital, Koro declares her the leader and asks for her forgiveness. 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.. The message is clear and requires no discussion. Her koro Apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. She respects and loves both her grandfather and Maori tribal traditions. Pai is originally born a twin, but her twin brother and her mother died during childbirth. Copyright Fandango. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Whale Rider. 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. (Note that Koro deems the boy Hemi to be unsuitable for leadership because Paikea, a mere girl, bests him in a contest using war sticks.) Whangara, New Zealand. Another symbolic action in the scene occurs when Pai ties the rope and uses it to make the engine start. Kahu Kahu is the chief protagonist of the story. In voiceover, Pai declares, "My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the Whale Rider. This whale rider casts spears as life-giving objects to the islands, but one spear he casts 1000 years into the future, which is the time of the storys young heroine Kahu. This is an echo of the earlier symbol of the rope. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. 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. a tribe. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. All of the main characters are impacted by the dynamic between tradition and modernity. It started to break up about 180 million years ago in the Early Jurassic Period. Before starting the introduction, on a globe or map of the world, show students the locations of New Zealand and Germany in relation to each other and to the community in which they live. However, he is unable to let go, and thoughts of returning to the place of his youth at whatever cost gnaw at his heart. But then the story shifts to Kahu. As for Kahu, she has returned to stay with her father longer-term. Discussion Questions Whale Rider also provides an occasion for research, oral presentations, and essay writing required skills in most ELA curricula. Gondwana, also called Gondwanaland, was an ancient supercontinent that incorporated present-day New Zealand, Australia, Antarctica, South America, Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, and India. 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. Possible Problems See Drawing of Maori Face Tattoo and Modern Day Face Tattoos. Regal ForEnglish Language Arts Classes, the movie offers an opportunity to explore theme and the literary devices of characterization, metaphor, symbol, and foil. Pa : l'lue d'un peuple nouveau regarder . 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. Whale Rider. Click the card to flip . Click here for a still picture of two women calling a karanga. By the time the Europeans arrived in the late 1700s, the Maori were well-established. Term. He is accidentally killed by Jeff in a car accident. Whale Rider premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2002. The film received critical acclaim upon its release. How do the women in the film deal with the sexism of their tribe? The eldest grandson of Koro and the elder brother of Rawiri, Porourangi is the chosen successor for his generation. What idea is conveyed by this scene? In modern times, the interior rooms of Maori meeting houses are places sacred to the ancestors. 3. Whale Rider Quotes. 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. 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. As a result,Koro spends a lot of time training him and bringing him along on trips pertaining to Maori legal and social issues. Hemis father is another. Social-Emotional Learning a term of reference for of this tribe who have Paikea as their founding ancestor. Kahu agrees to come with the herd in the hopes that she will thus save them and save her own people. Whale Rider streaming: where to watch online? The Question and Answer section for The Whale Rider is a great The women carry on with their lives accepting the men, yet criticizing the mens thinking. It is also possible to rent "Whale Rider" on Amazon Video, Alamo on Demand online and to download it on Alamo on Demand, Amazon . The bull whale pulls itself onto shore and strands itself there, waiting for its death. Movies. This quote articulates the idea of Kahu's physical and spiritual connection to Whangara. 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. Kahu returns to Whangara several times when she is able. Lesson plans based on movies & film clips! [6] In 1995 it was translated into Mori by Tmoti Kretu, as Te kaieke tohor. [5], The Whale Rider has been a worldwide bestseller, and is the most-translated work by a New Zealand author. 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. Porourangi, the girls father, is his eldest grandson so he is the successor for that generation. When the canoe was far out to sea, he moved his foot and all aboard drowned except for Rua-Tapu and Paikea, the latter being saved by a whale who took him to New Zealand. Hemi makes a joke out of it by purposely farting. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter 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. GradeSaver, 6 April 2015 Web. But we can learn. 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. At this point, even Koro understands that a leader may emerge, not from tradition, but in the form of a young girl who has the character, skill and desire to be chief. But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene). 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]. It is leading its herd in search of safer waters, but at the same time it struggles to come to terms with its deep love for the ancient whale rider, now long dead, who once had been its dearest companion. Whale Rider [Maori title: Te Kaieke Tohora] is a 2002 film based on the book The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. Koro leads a cultural school for the village's first-born boys, hoping to find a new leader. He teaches the boys to use a taiaha (fighting stick), which is traditionally reserved for males. "[11] Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars and said, "The genius of the movie is the way it sidesteps all of the obvious cliches of the underlying story and makes itself fresh, observant, tough and genuinely moving." Give it a location, a full geography, a population and a myth that explains how the tribe arrived on the island and what traditions it follows. [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". 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 11. 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. When Pai is born, her mother and twin brother both die. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Because of his status as eldest, he is the default choice for leadership after Koro passes away. This is especially harmful to children who grow up as second-class citizens in a society that condones prejudice. Pai learns the lessons on her own and knows that she is capable of being the Chief. 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. More books than SparkNotes. Moral-Ethical Emphasis, Assignments and Projects Back home, Rawiri notes that Koro has become even more obsessed in his mission of finding a male successor. See Example #1 and Example #2. She finds the rei puta, which means that she is the rightful leader. Coming Soon, Regal They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. 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. Returning to Kahus tale, Rawiri narrates that he decided to see a bit of the world when Kahu was in her fourth year. After students have seen the film, engage the class in a discussion about the themes of the story. When Koro returns he admonishes his granddaughter, telling her that what she has done is dangerous and that she should never do it again. A man to lead a new people. 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. They head towards a sea trench that used to provide them bounty and shelter but they find there an inhospitable and radioactive place. 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. Cinemark At their head is a great bull whale with an ancient sacred Maori tattoo. "The Whale Rider Characters". Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. Pais father can be his own person in Germany, away from the restraints of his father, the tribe, and Maori culture. [2][3] In 2002 it was adapted into a film, Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro.[4]. Plan and present a debate on the elimination of gender roles in society. Finally, the Whale Rider script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Niki Caro movie with Keisha Castle-Hughes. For the boy who would be chief. However, the great tragedy of the event is that Koro never shows up. Discussion Questions Relating to Ethical Issues will facilitate the use of this film to teach ethical principles and critical viewing. The indie film Whale Rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. 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. In the absence of swift and agile mammalian predators, some species of birds had lost the ability to fly. See Assignments, Projects & Activities. The comment that Germany is just about as far from New Zealand as a person can get. According to myth, Paikea was the founder of the Maori people. Pais grandmother can be highly critical of Koro, yet she tolerates him using humor. 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. Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. Maori tattoos are famous for their intricate designs, size, and beauty. 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. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. In 1840, British rule over the Maori was formalized in the Treaty of Waitangi, which granted British citizenship and land rights to the indigenous people of New Zealand, although most of the country was confiscated for European settlers. Part I begins by refocusing on the herd of whales. A collapsing of the ice there and the life-threatening nature of this collapse forces him to make a snap decision in guiding his herd. Then a pod of whales, an animal revered by the Maori, beaches itself on the sand near the tribes home. But Koro always rejected Pai just because she's a girl. The bull whale is an ancient whale, about 65 feet long. This love remains unreciprocated, as Koro actively pushes her away. The story describes the efforts of an indigenous group living within modern Western society to continue their traditions while assimilating some aspects of the dominant culture. Then the story shifts back to Kahu, whose mother dies within a year of Kahus birth. 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. 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. The symbolic meaning stated by Koro is that each strand of the rope represents an ancestor with the rope being the tribe. Students can be assessed using the standards to which they are accustomed on the depth of information presented and on the quality of the oral report. She thinks that this will be the last time she will ever see her home and family and that accompanying the herd means losing all that she holds dear, but she sacrifices herself nonetheless and chooses to remain as the whale rider. 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. It was waiting. The research topics are: 1. the history of the Maori people, including controversies and the current effort to seek redress for land confiscation; 2. the lives of whales, including the effect of the whaling industry on the species; 3. the art of tattoo, including cultural traditions as well as artistic or social customs associated with this form of body art; 4. culture conflict as it is experienced today by indigenous people, including efforts to transcend the social barriers that preclude full assimilation and any efforts of indigenous people to remain autonomous; 5. what it means to be Polynesian, including the common qualities and unique variations of the cultures of the various Polynesian Islands, paying special attention to the history and culture of Polynesians in the Hawaiian Islands; 6. myths that explain the origin and existence of a people. Adapt the presentation to the needs of particular classes. Finally, the tribe would not have had a leader that it needed, had the prejudice against having a female chief been maintained. 8. So, it is the typical story of a young outsider making a moving film and then vanishing. 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. The tribe and the Maori families are breaking apart because the men are leaving. [5] The film was shot in Whangara, Te Tai Rwhiti, and in Auckland. subsistance is based on. See also Assignments, Projects, and Activities for Use With Any Film that is a Work of Fiction. Paikea became the ruler of the people who lived on the islands. The Chief's eldest son, Porourangi, fathers twins - a boy and a girl, but the boy and his . Kahu is the chief protagonist of the story. If Pai had a brother, he would become chief, but her only brother, her twin, died at birth, along with their mother. 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. Students can examine their own concepts of gender roles as they watch entrenched sexism diminish through the course of the film. This highlights Paikeas decision to struggle against the fate that would have been hers had she not become Chief. Koros reaction to what Pai had done is yet another symbol. By creating an account, you agree to the Amelia Earhart. Bridges to Reading Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! What is revealed about Pai and her uncle in this episode? In desperation, Kahu swims out to the whale and climbs up its back after communicating with it. This can be seen when the women play cards and joke about the men. 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. Towards the end of the year, Kahu invites her family to a school ceremony that will include cultural presentations. 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. She never lets her anger get the best of her. 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. Nanny does not think Koro is ready to accept this and does not tell him. Social-Emotional Learning Keiko vs Porourangi (nobody knows vs. whale rider) Pais father is not around but Pai is growing up in the care of her . If we'd gone somewhere else and tried to manufacture the surroundings and the ambience, then I think it would have been noticeable in the picture. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. The traditional Maori greeting is to press noses. 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. However, Pais father, the next in line, has declined to accept the role. The Whale Rider study guide contains a biography of author Witi Ihimaera, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. When Rua-Tapu tried to use a sacred comb belonging to one of his high-born brothers, he was humiliated by the Chief who made it clear that Rua-Tapu was of a lower caste than his siblings. Pai tells her father to return her home. The story begins with a focus on the ancient days, when nature and all wildlife were excitedly waiting for the coming of man. She persists and fights for what she wants. The Whale Rider study guide contains a biography of author Witi Ihimaera, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Set in the 1980s in Whangara, a Mori community on the eastern edge of New Zealand's North Island, the novel is a retelling of the myth of Paikea. 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. He pulls it down, along with the rod and orange drapes that the sheet was hanging from. Overjoyed, the whale returns to sea and it descends back into the water with the rest of the herd and Kahu in tow. Titre original: Whale Rider Popularit: 14.114 Dure: 97 Minutes Slogan: Dans les voies des anciens, elle a trouv un espoir pour l'avenir. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Nanny also has a deep love and softness for offspring. When Nanny awakens, Koro admits to her that this is entirely his fault, and that he has been stubborn and blind in the matter of Kahu. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Though the film brims with authenticity, it is almost too authentic. Using the Movie in the Classroom The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. More books than SparkNotes. 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. 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. During Rawiris absence, Porourangi remarried and his wife had a child: another baby girl. Synopsis. However, no matter how many leadership qualities Rawiri may possess, he can never be chief because he is a second-born son. "'Never mind girl,' she said to baby Kahu. The relationship between Paikea and her grandfather is exceptionally well-written and feels remarkably real. They will soon die if they are not pushed back to sea. It also won the 2003 BAFTA Childrens Award. By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and The women let the men think that the men are the bosses. TV Shows. 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. He admonishes Pai against touching the largest whale because she has "done enough" damage with her presumption. these scenes. Activities. 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 film was a coproduction between New Zealand and Germany. Worksheet for Cinematic and Theatrical Elements and Their Effects. [2] Additional financing came from ApolloMedia, Filmstiftung NRW, the New Zealand Film Commission and NZ On Air. In an attempt to help, Pai also calls out to them and they hear her call. 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. Whale Rider [Maori title: Te Kaieke Tohora] is a 2002 film . 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. Whale Rider offers young people the opportunity to learn about a different culture and to examine the difficulties that many traditional groups experience in facing change. Pai learns how to use the war sticks, the Taiaha, from Uncle Rawiri. In 2005, the film was named on the BFI List of the 50 Films You Should See By the Age of 14. What does this suggest about the tribes problems? There are several possible ways to express this. Kahu herself plays a prominent role in the ceremony. The Ta moko was predominately for males and among traditional Maori it was rare that a woman would have tattoos. Jeff's mother lives on a plantation in Papua New Guinea with her husband. effective communication definition by different authors, the purpose place church tasha cobbs, walter johnson high school student death,