*You can also browse our support articles here >. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Pai states, Maori women have got to stop smoking, we have to protect our childbearings. This quote helps to show how the women do not care about their health and just smoke. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. She completes her expected tasks of singing during concerts, escorting the boys into the marae, and leading the other girls in their performance. 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. The notion of journey is apparent is Beneath Clouds by Ivan Sen, as well as in related texts Stand By Me by Rob Reiner and Bushwalking by Phillip Rush. The second concerns the ancient leader of a pod of cetaceans who has suffered Whale Rider shows so many interesting and emotional themes: failure and hope, strength, and determination, all of them are witnessed in the points of past, present, and future ideals. 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. Free resources to assist you with your university studies! RyanMottesheard, Girl Power: New ZealandWriter/ Director Niki Caro Talks About Whale Rider, IndieWire, June 6, 2003. After Koro realizes how sacred and special Kahu is, he sees the error of his ways and finally accepts Kahu. Pai herself is interested in the leadership, learning traditional songs and dances, and Taiaha fighting a traditional stick fighting method used by the Maori men. 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. For example, in the beginning when Koro goes to see the baby boy and tells Nanny to take Pai away from where he is. In case you can't find a relevant example, our professional writers are ready Porourangi would be next in line but has no interest in returning home. In the arena of urban international competitiveness, cities try to raise their profile by We use cookies to offer you the best experience. I would definitely hire her again! the boat is called a waka What was the whales name in. The story follows a 12-year-old Maori girl named Paikea Apirana who struggles to earn her . By continuing, well assume you agree with our Cookies policy. Koros youngest son Rawiri, meanwhile, has turned to drugs and alcohol as a form of escape, whilst the younger children of the tribe laugh and joke as Maori rituals are performed on the marea, more concerned with football and cigarettes. The book argues that Rider Haggard's She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed, Bram Stoker's female vampires and Conrad's destructive Malayan or African women, even Hardy's Tess, are all caught up in a series of late 19th-century contexts: biological determinism, imperialism, race, theories about female sexuality, degeneration and evolutionary theory. The culture has also become unhealthy for example, when Pai comes home and notices that the women playing cards at the dinner table have been smoking. drug reference momentary along with brief language is Whale Rider Obituaries Death Notices Newspaper Obituaries Online April 30th, 2018 - Legacy com is the leading provider of online obituaries for the . But he's focused on his duties as chief of the Maori in Whangara, New Zealanda tribe that claims descent from the legendary "whale rider." History of Sex in Cinema Filmsite org. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Whale Rider (Lions Gate) (2002)(DVD)*DISC ONLY at the best online prices at eBay! Koros teachings of earlier cultural practices, ceremonies and mythologies help to shore up community identity in the present, with the effects of colonialism being implied as possible cause of the tribes present day problems, such as youthful apathy, lack of direction and urban drift (Wilson 2011: 204). We will write a custom Essay on Face Negotiation Theory in the Film "Whale Rider" specifically for you. "Whale Rider" [ ] A film adaptation was made in 2002 that would go on to win several awards. Even when Pai becomes rather proficient in taiana fighting, this still does not prove to Koro that she is good enough to be a leader of the people. A close-up camera shot allows the audience to focus on a character's feelings or thoughts. Koros adoption of Western/Pakeha clothing and his noticeable reliance on modern technologies (i.e. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Sponsored. The conflict between him and Pai is caused by Koros refusal to acknowledge Pai as the inheritor of the tradition, Koro is blinded by prejudice, and nobody can convince him that Pai is the natural heir. 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. This essay was written by a fellow student. He rode the whale and founded the Maori people, and from that day the tradition exists: an eldest son is the Chief of the tribe and the leader. Koro is the chief of these people. 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. Get original paper in 3 hours and nail the task. By Maori tradition, the tribes chief must be a direct descendant of the mythical Paikea, with first-born sons continuing this custom ever since. This relationship is ambivalent since the colonised subject is never completely opposed to the coloniser. Create your account, 4 chapters | Whale Rider is a 2002 drama film directed by Niki Caro, based on the novel of the same name. Whale Rider Year: 2002 Director: Niki Caro Rating: PG-13 Communication Concepts: Self-Concept Communication Climate (Disconfirmation) Assertiveness Whale Rider takes place in present day New Zealand, where a 12-year-old girl named Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is growing up in an all-Maori community. The movie, which takes place in the present day in New Zealand, begins with the birth of twins. account. for only $16.05 $11/page. Pai shows the strengths of a leader through out the whole video but her grandfather does not notice it. In The Whale Rider, Kahu helps to cook and garden with Nanny Flower. Nanny Flowers has often threatened to divorce Koro over his treatment of Kahu. (2016, Oct 19). Pai herself is interested in the leadership, learning traditional songs and dances, but is given little encouragement by her grandfather. Journeys motivate the travellers to overcome their specific obstacles and undergo change. 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. 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. They grew crops such as soybeans, apples, sorghum, and millet. She struggles to gain the approval of her grandfather and her people. Editor: David Coulson. The world premire was on September 2002, at the Toronto International Film Festival. A letter she wrote to Rawiri while he was in Papua New Guinea read, "'I am seven. She uses her gifts of communicating with nature to save a beached pod of whales, and because of that she is finally accepted. Lyrics to Whalerider Found A Lie: This is another story About how things have changed Everything that i knew Was a lie You turn me upside down You shouldn't cross the line tonight Wish i could turn around And leave it all behind So i broke your heart To look Also, the largest whale traditionally belongs to the legendary Paikea. Paikeas grandmother, Nanny Flowers, reveals that Rawiri was once a champion taiahi fighter, and asks him to tutor Pai. Shes only twelve years old. This hero is an unlikely one, a small girl, from a small tribe, in a small village in New Zealand. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . When Koro finds out he chastises Paikea, warning her that by tampering with sacred traditions she has shamed her community. Whale Rider analysis. Spirituality & Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys This website helped me pass! Pai climbs onto the back of the whale and makes it re-enter the ocean. Koro explains to her about her ancestors and he uses a rope to demonstrate how the strings from the rope represent her ancestors. The story follows Paikea (Pai), who has disappointed her community by being born a girl. For example, Porourangi uses international travel to escape the pain of losing his loved ones, as well as the responsibility to produce a male son that Koro believes will lead his people out of the darkness. But Pai has several surprises for her tradition-bound grandfather that will open his eyes and the rest of the tribe to her true destiny. Pai, of course, is banned from these classes, but she eavesdrops and enlists a wayward uncle to reveal some of the secrets of the males. In response to Porourangis announcement and the realisation that he has failed to anoint a suitable heir to leadership, Koro gathers all firstborn males from the tribe to teach them ancient Ngati Konohi culture and traditions, with the intention that one of these boys will become the tribes next chief. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Whale Rider DVD *FULL OF HOPE & WONDER* Mori + English + Eng Subs at the best online prices at eBay! From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Registration number: 419361 The Chief of their tribe is her grandfather Koro, but there is no one to in line after him. In a small New Zealand coastal village, Maori claim descent from Paikea, the Whale Rider. berkeley Synopsis Paikea is interested, but she cannot join since she is a girl. The story takes place in New Zealand where the Maori people of a small village claim descent from the Whale Rider, Paikea. 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. Whale Rider 15th Anniversary Edition . In the film, Whale Rider, through mythical creation powers, the hero endeavors to save her dying culture. WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION Porourangi worked on building a Waka (canoe), a Maori cultural tradition, before the birth of his twins but due to his loss of wife and son, he stops and moves to Germany. The whales are a symbol of Kahu's tribe: when the whales are safe, the tribe is safe. And if that were not bad enough, Paikea (Pai) lost her father as well. The story takes place in New Zealand where the Maori people of a small village claim descent from the Whale Rider, Paikea. They added tobacco and corn due to those ideas being popular. Whale Rider is about the current chief, Koro, having to accept that the tradition of the first born males becoming the next chief will have change, and the challenges he has to overcome by letting a female become leader and breaking the tradition and letting a girl be in control. The film Whale rider is considered to be a personal and family drama, showing that families even in the most far away parts of the world have similar relations and personal problems. Her journey begins when she does not even know anything about becoming leader; she is living a normal life, doing her school work and living with her grandparents. us: [emailprotected]. The whales also are a symbol of the relationship between man and nature. The people from Maori have been waiting for so long that they have lost hope and flight of people. In the film Whale Rider depicts a culture in transition. Kahu's great-grandfather Koro is chief of the tribe, but because of his old age he is worried about who will be his heir. This video fits the requirement for the Whale Rider video analysis of Dr. Ann McClellan's Global Literature class at Plymouth State University. Pai is played by Keisha Castle-Hughes, a newcomer of whom it can only be said: This is a movie star. The boy and the mother die. 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. Both are signs of internalized oppression. what's in your head right now? However, Koro fails to notice that Pai, although an eleven year old girl, is destined to be the new leader. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Porourangis unfinished te waka (ceremonial canoe) is left abandoned on the beach, acting as a constant reminder to Koro of his unfulfilled mission to anoint another male heir to tribal leadership (Sison 2012: 122). Eventually, he begins teaching classes that teach the young boys how to act like true tribesmen. By using these techniques Niki has created a film that is emotionally connected to the viewers., b. She made a loud sound and the whales dove into the water, as if Kahu was warning them. Registered office: Creative Tower, Fujairah, PO Box 4422, UAE. It does not march obediently to standard plot requirements but develops an unexpected crisis and an unexpected solution. The old culture is continuously struggling to keep alive, to keep its people, its unigue traditions and customs, in a quickly changing world, that leaves the past behind. 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. Indeed, as Ryan Mottesheard (2003) argues, the film should be understood less as anthropological study of the Maori people, than a universal story of female empowerment, thus highlighting the films global appeal. Choose skilled expert on your subject and get original paper with free plagiarism 197216. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. This shows how Koro does not want anything to do with Pai. The entire village trys to drag them back into the water but, where unsuccessful. She gives birth to a baby girl, but things soon take a turn for the worse as the narrator reveals, When I was born, my twin brother died and took our mother with him. By what name was Whale Rider (2002) officially released in India in English? This book is called The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. While the movie Whale Rider is set in New Zealand and reflects Mori traditions and culture, it's relatable to kids everywhere. The Whale Rider isn't like every other story I've read before. Production Company: South Pacific Pictures, ApolloMedia Distribution, Pandora Filmproduktion. 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. Koros frustration is plain to see as he proceeds to exclude both Hami and Pai from his final challenge to determine who will become the next chief. James K A Smith, Whos Afraid of Postmodernism? Correct writing styles (it is advised to use correct citations) The Maori people faces a crisis as the current leaders firstborn grandchild, a baby boy dies at birth while the second born twin, a baby girl survives. Pais koro, Apirana, or Old Paka as his wife Nanny Flowers calls him, the leader of the tribe, is initially angry at losing his grandson and being left with a worthless female. Nanny Flowers: Pais grandmother Porourangi: Pais father Rawiri: Pais uncle 1. Niki Caro's Whale Rider - An analysis in relation to journeys. However, Pai is female and technically cannot inherit the leadership. Differences Between the Whale Rider and Whale Rider Essay, Pride in Antigone and in Whale Rider Essay, The Themes of Tradition and Modernity in Bollywood Movies Essay, Family Tree and Other Customs of the Manchu Culture Essay, Enduring Issues: Conflict Between Traditional Culture and Modernization Essay, Family Traditions and Importance of Them Essay, The Importance of Culture and Traditions for Identity in Society Essay, What Should We Know About Obie Tradition Essay, Study Review on the Role of Festivals in Society and Culture Essay. Over the years family has been defined in many different ways through many perspectives. The bull whale remembers his master, the "golden man. First of all, because Paikea is a woman, she is not fit to be the Maori leader. Whale Rider is a unique, untypical and fascinating film. I highly recommend you use this site! She leaves with her father, but on their way to the airport, she suddenly decides to turn around and return to her grandparents, for she cannot leave them. Koro takes it upon himself to arrange another partner for his son, a teacher from Pais school, who he believes will deliver Porourangi a male child. 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). All rights reserved. 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. Similar to Things Fall Apart, the film Whale Rider by Niki Caro explores the breakdown of Maori culture in post-colonial New Zealand. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. Even the elder women of the community are shown playing cards and smoking. Summary; Recently Viewed; Bids/Offers; Watchlist; Purchase History; Buy Again; Selling; Saved Searches; Saved Sellers; My Garage; Messages; Collection beta; The eBay vault; Notification. Director and Screenwriter: Niki Caro. The program saw the city offer up to $1,200 for anyone looking to buy an electric bike, an additional $500 was also available for anyone considering a cargo bike. Pai feels, that she can become the leader, but it is impossible for a woman to do so, and she is given little encouragement by her grandfather. 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. When Pai ties the rope together this shows, how she is a leader shes willing to put the pieces together and fix the culture that has lost hope. They are going there to do whatever is necessary to make sure Japan does not kill any whales as it is illegal to kill whales in this sanctuary in Antarctica. Towards the ending of the film Koro notices numerous whales are beached near the home. 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. Koro, Pai's grandfather and leader of the Maori tribe, is devastated that their future leader has died. 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. Much to his dismay, none of the boys retrieve the pendant and Koro returns to shore, despondent. The myth about Paikea says that he was rescued by a whale, after his canoe was lost in the sea. What is more, Porourangi has returned with his German fianc to finish his waka and celebrate with his people. While the grandfather is explaining about the ancestors, hes trying to start the engine but the rope breaks. "Whale Rider" arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audience-grabbers of recent years. To make matters worse, he names his daughter Paikea, which angers Koro who sees this as a mockery of Ngati Konohi customs and tradition. Home / Essay Samples / Entertainment / Movies / Whale Rider. The drama Away, by Michael Gow has been very intricately written, Gow has used physical journey to portray the inner journey taking place in each of his characters lives. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. The film connects with universal themes of adolescence, and tackles topics like loss, courage, self-worth, and community. I feel like its a lifeline. When the whale accepts Kahu as a leader, Koro does as well. Sep 30, 2014. In The Whale Rider, Kahu is a young Maori girl who wants to be the chief of her tribe, but cannot be because in her culture that role is only for men. The old whale serves as a comparison to Koro. The film was a coproduction between New . These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. Therefore, Whale Rider emphasises the benefits of bicultural cooperation, incorporating what Duncan Petrie (2007: 172) describes as a utopian embrace of common humanity as an alternative strategy of dealing with the trauma of the past. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. 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. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. report, Analysis of the Whale Rider. The 2003 movie Whale Rider is a wonderful story, aptly described in this IMDB plot summary: A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. When Kahu is nine years old, a group of about 200 whales are stranded in shallow waters.