A close-up camera shot allows the audience to focus on a character's feelings or thoughts. Home / Essay Samples / Entertainment / Movies / Whale Rider. All work is written to order. Over the years family has been defined in many different ways through many perspectives. 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. Whereas the majority of her community appear disrespectful of Maori customs and traditions, Pai shows a deep affinity to the old ways and demonstrates her passion publicly. Pais father leaves her because he doesnt believe that there is such thing as a leader and shows that he does not want any part of the culture. The idea of Journey in these texts is portrayed through obstacles, various poetic and film techniques., A physical journey which involves the movement from one place to another can have lasting effects on an individual or group which can be mental, emotional, physical, or a combination. What is more, Porourangi has returned with his German fianc to finish his waka and celebrate with his people. Production Company: South Pacific Pictures, ApolloMedia Distribution, Pandora Filmproduktion. WHAT ISM DID U SEE ILLUSTRATED SEXISM: stereotypical gender roles Women: makes food: Koro utters Women setup dinner are not to smoke: a child says: Women should not smoke has to sit in the back: Koro tells Pai to move from the front row to the back row when they have a meeting in Marae Men: are fighters: boys are traditionally taught to use the taiaha fix things: Koro is not pleased when Pai can fix the motor for the boat boys do not cry: Pai finds Hemi crying and he gets upset and tells her to go away . When Kahu is nine years old, a group of about 200 whales are stranded in shallow waters. No plagiarism guarantee. To make matters worse, he names his daughter Paikea, which angers Koro who sees this as a mockery of Ngati Konohi customs and tradition. It can mean that one has self-respect, but it can also mean that one is arrogant and has a huge ego. account. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. The myth about Paikea says that he was rescued by a whale, after his canoe was lost in the sea. Koro Pais grandfather has been waiting for the first born of the new generation who would be chief. There is a vast difference between movies for 12-year-old girls, and movies about 12-year-old girls, and "Whale Rider" proves it. This essay has been submitted by a student. Dont Three months after Kahu was born, her mother, Rehua, died. Whale Rider is a contemporary re-telling of the 1000-year-old legend about legendary first ancestor named Paikea. Before man, "in the years that have gone before us, the land and sea felt a great emptiness, a yearning" (8). But Koro always rejected Pai just because she's a girl. Whale Rider is a 2002 drama film directed by Niki Caro, based on the novel of the same name. Lesson Plans for English Language Arts and Literature. 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. They initially find this strange in comparison to their modern lives but they gradually become more accustomed to Maori customs, especially the taiahi a ritual fighting stick. And if that were not bad enough, Paikea (Pai) lost her father as well. Antonio Sison, World Cinema, Theology, and the Human: Humanity in Deep Focus, New York, Routledge, 2012. 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." Whale Rider is the story of a girl, Pai, whose twin brother and mother die in child birth. The girl, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) survives. Unknown to all, she had won an inter-school speech contest with a touching dedication to Koro and the traditions of the village. The biggest whale, the founder of Maori culture, has a special relationship with the whale rider, a young man who sits upon its back. Registration number: 419361 We see the different techniques employed by composers through Peter Skrzyneckis Crossing the Red Sea and Immigrants at Central Station, Shirley Geok-lin Lims The Town Where Time Stands Still and The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham., The killer whale, also known as an orca, is known to be the largest dolphin. MAIN CHARACTERS: Pai: 12 year old girl who is the only living child in the line of the tribes chiefly succession Koro: Pais grandfather and current tribe leader. Koro sees it as a sign of his failure and despairs further. However she finds that she cannot bear to leave the sea as the whale seems to be calling her back, tells her father to turn the car back and returns home. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. It is not just a family film, just an Australian film it is a film that can touch the hearts of millions. : Taking Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault to Church, MI, Baker Academic, 2006. Though there is a recurrent and overarching feeling of great-whale-in-the-sea calm, strength and beauty, there is a strong undercurrent of emotional turmoil, with which each of the main characters struggle., A physical journey is more than a physical movement. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. There's an amusing sequence where they practice looking ferocious to scare their enemies. Summary, Pages 3 (537 words) Views. 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. characters are most like you. Lyrics to Whalerider What's in Your Head? Unable to cope with the loss of his wife and son, Porourangi emigrates to Europe to pursue a career as an artist, turning his back on his Maori heritage and repurposing his traditional carving skills towards a more international and commercial market. The Whale Rider by Witt Alhambra has many important themes that are represented by several characters in the text such as Koru Farina, who struggles to put aside traditional values and struggles to input moored values. Ihimaera was inspired to write the book in 1985 while living in an apartment in New York overlooking the Hudson River. The film shows New Zealanders, as an example for the rest of the world, that the past civilizations and cultures can continue to live on in harmony with todays world. 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. Whale Rider, then, brings into question the notion of postcolonial identity within New Zealand, with a renewal of tribal values being presented as the means by which the Maori people learn to adapt to the modern-day demands of urbanisation. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. Koro is heartbroken when he throws his whale bone into the ocean and not one of the boys manages to retrieve it. succeed. Pai sympathises with Koro and prays to her ancestors for help, with a voice-over revealing, They heard me, initiating the films most iconic and emotional sequence. From this point of view, the film establishes a personal form of communication in the family, despite all cultural, racial, and geographical boundaries. And then--well, the movie does not end as we expect. The film connects with universal themes of adolescence, and tackles topics like loss, courage, self-worth, and community. 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 Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera Buy Study Guide The Whale Rider Summary The story begins with a focus on the ancient days, when nature and all wildlife were excitedly waiting for the coming of man. 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. *You can also browse our support articles here >. The theme ofWhale Rideris female empowerment is not unique, but the context in which it is presented is very interesting and unusual. A Maori family, despite their beliefs or rituals, can be just like an American family, or any other one. Sison (2012: 134) proposes that this ending follows a particular theological trajectory, with Paikeas symbolic reincarnation having a transformative impact on the community. As such, the film does not present a simple rejection of modernity, rather it is the recovery of tradition in modernity, and sometimes against identity, that makes possible the renewal of identity of Paikeas people (Smith 2006: 116). And he came on the back of a whale, a man to lead a new people, our ancestor, Paikea the speedboat and tractor) connotes the complex mix of attraction and repulsion that characterises the relationship between the coloniser and colonised (Ashcroft et al., 1998: 12). Once deep within the ocean, a herd of whales was responding, and when the whales began stranding on the beach, this seemed to be a signal of an apocalyptic end to his tribe. Koro attempts to discover their new leader through a cultural reform school solely for the first-born sons of every family. In this essay I am going to be talking about what the texts have taught me about culture and how it has shaped my understanding., A journey can be described as a passage one may undergo in order to reach a destination. Whale Rider 15th Anniversary Edition . match. Kahu is found floating in the ocean and protected by dolphins. First of all, because Paikea is a woman, she is not fit to be the Maori leader. Koro had believed that Porourangis first-born was destined to be the boy who would be chief, responsible for leading the community into a new age of prosperity, and he initially refuses to acknowledge his granddaughter. Instead, she spies on them and does everything the class does, except by herself. So The Whale Rider shows deep levels of character development: as we see Koros great sadness, Nannys love for the family, and how Pais. Choose your writer among 300 professionals! The whale leads the rest of the whales back into the sea, while this is happening Nanny gives Koro the whale tooth, which Pai had gotten. When Pai is found and brought to the hospital, Koro declares her the leader and asks her forgiveness. 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. Meet Kahu, a young Maori girl, and follow her journey as she contradicts the roles females are expected to play in her culture and develops a relationship with whales. The Whale Rider tells two stories. 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. The story follows a 12-year-old Maori girl named Paikea Apirana who struggles to earn her . Until one person prepares to make the sacrifice to save the peoplethe Whale Rider. Although Koro thinks everything will never be the same he is wrong. As Koro has made it crystal clear that no girl can ever become chief, its an uphill battle, to say the least. Pai's Opening Voice-Over PAI (narrating): In the old days the land felt a great emptiness that was waiting, waiting to be filled up, waiting for someone to love her, waiting for a leader. The summary of The Whale Rider is about a young girl, named Pai, who wants to be chief. The play Away by Michael Gow as well as the Poem Sail Through Your Emotions, Don't Sink by Bashyam Narayanan and The Film Into the wild by Sean Penn all display the concept of the physical journey through their use of dialogue, language, structure and theme. Whale Rider is the story of a girl, Pai, whose twin brother and mother die in child birth. "Whale Rider" [ ] Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you How indigenous societies must fight through the legal system to gain title to their land.. The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. In the film Whale Rider depicts a culture in transition. The whole village comes together to save them, but they end up dying. " Do you think that the whale is as old . Killer whales population is decreasing every year, mostly due to them being held in captivity. The film was a coproduction between New . He left for New Zealand to pursue his art career, leaving Pai behind to be raised by her grandparents and aunts. After being told for so many years that she is worthless because she is a girl, Pai is also struggling to find acceptance and love. The negative side of pride can be seen in both the play Antigone, written Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) translated as The Brave-Hearted Will Take Away the Bride is romantic bollywood film directed in 1995 by Aditaya Chopra. By what name was Whale Rider (2002) officially released in India in English? He doesnt see that Pai is the leader that the people of Maori have been waiting for. This upsets Paikeas grandfather who out of nger says that he does not need Paikea, and that she is just a hassle. For Jimmy and Roxane Henderson, though, it's what they do when their son Jordan plays hoops for Canisius College . However, Pai fixes the rope and the motor runs fine, much to Koros frustration; frustrated that a young girl managed to repair something he couldnt, and for what it symbolises, that a female could become chief and restore the tribe. But her Grandfather, Koro Apirana, wanted a male chief for his tradition. We will write a custom Essay on Face Negotiation Theory in the Film "Whale Rider" specifically for you. Her family thought she would die, but they soon realize that she is the whale rider. When I finished the story I believe that the theme of The Whale Rider was to overcome the odds to achieve the greatness. On the other hand, it is a drama about relationship of a young girl and her grandfather. Traditionally family was described as a group of individuals We are nothing but bricks from our cultural moulds Bangambiki Habyarimana, Book of Wisdom Supplemental understanding of the topic including revealing main issues described in the particular theme; Pharapreising and interpretation due to major educational standards released by a particular educational institution as well as tailored to your educational institution if different; assume youre on board with our, https://graduateway.com/analysis-of-the-whale-rider/. However, Koro was late, and as he was walking to the school, he notices that numerous right whales are beached near Pais home. Niki Caro's Whale Rider - An analysis in relation to journeys. Whale Rider Quotes. The Whale Rider Witi Ihimaera 3.83 9,773 ratings1,111 reviews Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather's love and attention. Pai herself is interested in the leadership, learning traditional songs and dances, but is given little encouragement by her grandfather. By tradition, the leader should be the first-born son a direct patrilineal descendant of Paikea, aka Kahutia Te Rangi in the book, the Whale Rider he who rode on top of a whale from Hawaiki. "Whale Rider" arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audience-grabbers of recent years. Some Important Scenes & Quotations from Whale Rider 1. What does the myth of the whale rider explain to the Maori people? The effects and overall impact of a journey will depend on the characteristics of the particular journey undertaken. The novel Things Fall Apart (1958) by Chinua Achebe and the film Whale Rider (2002) by Niki Caro both address the overcoming of emotional boundaries, while following the progress of the main characters. Spirituality & Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys 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. As Pai grows older, her defiant character of a leader becomes evident. The Maine Lobstermen's Association last September appealed a federal decision on some restrictions, and the case is now being heard in Washington. This shows how she has leadership, since the rope represents the ancestors and by her grandfather breaking the rope shows how the culture has been broken apart. You may use it as a guide or sample for Pequea Makita. Every single author creates some sort of journey in the stories that they write, no matter what form or medium it is in, there is always a journey being taken. Koros relationship with Pai erodes further when none of the boys succeed at the traditional task of recovering the rei puta (whale tooth) that he threw into the ocean this mission would prove one of them worthy of becoming leader. Even the elder women of the community are shown playing cards and smoking. Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, and Whangaras citizens do their best to carry on their traditions in the modern day. Soon after, there is another mass group of beached whales. 194 lessons. It has a lot of awards through the world: BAFTA Childrens Award, Best Feature Film 2003; Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, Best Young Actor/Actress (Keisha Castle-Hughes) 2004; Chicago Film Critics Association Award, Most Promising Performer (Keisha Castle-Hughes) 2004; Cinemanila International Film Festival, Special Jury Prize 2003; Humanitas Prize, Sundance Film Category 2003; Independent Spirit Award, Best Foreign Film (New Zealand) 2004; Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival and others. This highlights the tensions between the traditional and the modern in Maori culture, with Koros stringent following of the tribes ancient traditions leading him to alienate his own kin, despite the fact that Pai shows more promise than any of the other boys. Analysis of the Whale Rider 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. Koro decides to form a cultural school for the village boys, hoping to find a new leader. The book "The Whale Rider" by Witi Ihimaera is about a girl named Kahu and is in line to becoming chief in her tribe but greatly discouraged by her grandfather . Various types of journeys can be seen clearly in the three texts studied this year: The Happiest Refugee extract, written by Anh Doh in 2010, The Silver Donkey novel by Sonya Hartnett in 2004 and the film Bend It Like Beckham directed by Gurinder Chadha in 2002. Koro is the chief of these people. Explores intrinsically linked ideas of discovery through the lens of cultural identity and heritage. report, Analysis of the Whale Rider. The film opens with Porourangi, eldest son of Koro, the current chief, anxiously supporting his wife who is in labour. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. They added tobacco and corn due to those ideas being popular. Car Games . At school, she is the most interested in Paikea culture and origins, unlike the other boys. Upon accepting Rawiri undergoes a transformation, immediately feeling at one with his ancient tribal heritage: This artefact of tradition has an almost sacramental character and seems to immediately recall him to himself, to remind him of not only who he is but who is called to be. He causes Pai much hurt by doubting her, questioning her achievements, insisting in the face of everything she achieves that she is only a girl. Sponsored. It's not just an uplifting ending, but a transcendent one, inspired and inspiring, and we realize how special this movie really is. The indie film Whale Rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. At the beginning of the film, we see that Koro genuinely cares for his granddaughter, but his disappointment about her gender is evident. In the beginning, the Manchu people were into agriculture. 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. By continuing, well assume you agree with our Cookies policy. Another example of how the culture is unhealthy is when Pai goes to her uncle Rawiris house to ask if he can teach her taiaha, the uncle is just lying down being lazy with his wife smoking. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. For Bill Ashcroft et al. The films 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 tribes chiefly succession following the death of her twin brother and mother when she was born. 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. It's a story about a young Maori girl, Paikea Apirana that's born into the chief line along with a twin brother. The Whangara believe their people date back to a single ancestor, Paikea, who survived when his boat capsized in the middle of the ocean by riding to shore on the back of a whale. The film under analysis is called Whale Rider and focuses on the story of the Maori girl Pai who is interested in becoming the leader of her tribe. 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. A special attention should be paid to a the concept of shadows in the story, as it has an important meaning. This website helped me pass! Tradition as a Tool for Oppressing Women in Witi Ihimaera's The Whale Rider The Influence of Beliefs on Individual Life in Witi Ihimaera's "The Whale Rider." As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 It is a film for everyone who wants to learn the story of a young girl, her future and her success in a mens world. Koro is equally as upset because he feels that this is a sign for his people. Get entertainment recommendations for your unique personality and find out which of 5,500+ 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. Paikea trains in secret, eavesdropping on Koros classes, determined to learn all she can of her ancestral customs. . Then man arrived from the east, and the relationship between nature and man throve. 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. The whales are a symbol of Kahu's tribe: when the whales are safe, the tribe is safe. Despite his anger, he will come, won't he? The film ends with the village, including Pais father, uncle, and grandparents, celebrating her status as leader, as the finished waka is hauled into the sea for its maiden voyage. He gave them gifts, including the ability to communicate with animals and nature. 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. We've received widespread press coverage since 2003, Your UKEssays purchase is secure and we're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk. 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. In the end everyone from the village is celebrating her status as a leader, and working together, the waka is finished and is taken into the sea. The other roles are also strongly cast, especially Rawiri Paratene and Vicky Haughton as the grandparents. Whale Rider, then, brings into question the notion of postcolonial identity within New Zealand, with a renewal of tribal values being presented as the means by which the Maori people learn to adapt to the modern-day demands of urbanisation. Pai shows the strengths of a leader through out the whole video but her grandfather does not notice it. Despite his love for Pai, his passion to restore the tribe through a firstborn male leader is aggravated by her very presence. Nanny insists on making him acknowledge his granddaughter and hands Pai to him to carry her. I highly recommend you use this site! The Chief of their tribe is her grandfather Koro, but there is no one to in line after him. But when Koro walks away, she climbs onto the back of the largest whale and coaxes it to re-enter the ocean. All People have the same emotions: they upset and cry, they feel happy and laugh. Pai states, My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the whale rider. An error occurred trying to load this video. 1672. Which will talk about where she comes from. Deadline from 3 hours. 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. Porourangi refuses to assume traditional leadership. When the whale accepts Kahu as a leader, Koro does as well. The old whale serves as a comparison to Koro. Her grandfather, who is her Herald in a way, condemns her for issues within the tribe.
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