Whale Rider
The film Whale Rider by Niki Caro, is a popular film highly rated among many critics across the globe. It has been nominated for many prestigious awards including Best Actress. Set on the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back one 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. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfil her destiny. When Koro decided to find a new leader in the young Whangara boys, Pai is denied the rite to sit at the front of the class and as a result of her refusal to move is asked to leave the teachings. With the help of her uncle she learns in the traditional ways and goes on to show Koro that she too can be great, that she too can inspire those around her, and that she too is capable of proudly carrying the family na
This is a serious issue because it applies to all communities, and it is an issue that will only get worse if people fail to relate and bond with their families and bridge the generational gap. Traditional and other values are only sustained through this connection. The necessity for respecting traditional beliefs is also shown through the character of Pai's uncle Rawiri. Dealing with these serious issues it is hard to imagine that a film could still remain popular. Having Pai as the Heroin addresses the issue that females should not be marginalised in society, because like men they have the ability to benefit the community equally and the case of Whale Rider, more than the men. Contrast is also used to question the viewer about their own cultural identity. The importance of recognising and respecting our traditional beliefs and cultural heritage is an issue represented in Whale Rider. The novel Whale Rider was written in a time of great change for women and the issues of the 1980's are still present today. Whale Rider becomes popular with the audience by igniting certain feelings in them. Pai and her Father Po, seem to have a very close relationship despite living away from each other for a number of years. Challenging tradition Pai defies Koro and stays seated. By addressing an issue that the audience is familiar with such as the generational gap, Niki Caro has created a film that the audience can relate to. Some sort of a generational gap is an issue that all audiences can relate to, because we are all part of a generation and it seems that there is always a connection between grandparents and grandchildren that the parent is unable to comprehend. We later go on to discover that Po moves back to New Zealand and reimburses his cultural identity, symbolised through the finished carving of a traditional Maori boat.
Common topics in this essay:
Whale Rider,
Pai's Po's,
Zealand Whangara,
Po Replies,
Karakia Maori,
Niki Caro,
Koro Whangara,
Rider Contrast,
Koro You're,
Rider Pai,
whale rider,
cultural identity,
whangara people,
respecting traditional beliefs,
generational gap,
own cultural,
mau rakau,
traditional beliefs,
serious issues,
respecting traditional,
film techniques,
changing role women,
film techniques familiarity,
importance cultural identity,
various film techniques,
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Acceptance Essays
