Whale Rider
There is a legend that Paikea rode on the back of a whale and led his people to New Zealand. Since that time tradition has decreed that the first-born male descendant will become chief of the tribe. Then Pai is born...and she is a girl. She grows up within a close-knit village which retains the tribes traditional spiritual relationship with the sea and their warrior values. Although loved by all, Pai faces rejection from her grandfather, Koro, who is brokenhearted that there is no grandson to carry on the line. Meanwhile, deep within the ocean, a massive herd of whales is responding, drawn toward Pai and their twin destinies. When the whales become stranded on the beach, Koro is sure this signals an apocalyptic end to his tribe. Until one person prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the people. The Whale Rider. With Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis, Grant Roa; Directed by Niki Caro. From the novel by Witi Ihimaera.
Year: 2002
Genre: Drama, New Zealand Film, Children's & Family Theatre, 2003, Based on..., Alice Members' Top 100
Country: NZ
Director: Niki Caro
Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Cliff Curtis, Vicky Haughton, Rawiri Paratene, Grant Roa, Taungaroa Emile
Duration: 97 Minutes
Rating: PG
7.6/10
Location in store: New Zealand Film
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