Witi Ihimaera wrote this novel which was adapted to screenplay and directed by Niki Caro. At times I almost got a documentary feel from the piece, the information was so interesting and the customs so detailed. Some may consider it a dream, some may consider it urban legend, but I consider it the girl who rode whales to her destiny.
I would imagine, according to the legend, that having a female leader was received by the tribesmen with less than anticipation. But in this story Pai, the whale rider, proved her salt. The whale rider was almost a totem in this village. The original Paikea, her ancestor, arrived in this small village of Whangara, New Zealand, from Hawaii, on the back of a whale when his canoe capsized. Pai was a twin but her brother died at birth along with her mother, so the responsibility of the tribe fell to her.
However it wasn’t received well – she was a girl after all. Her grandfather, Koro, is determined to find a boy child to lead the tribe although he has great love for his granddaughter. In return, she loves him deeply but feels she must go against his wishes to fulfill her destiny and take the place of her namesake, the whale rider Paikea.
There were so many things to love about this movie – the actors, the story, the cinematography, the music – everything was so well done. Filming was done in the actual village of Whangara, New Zealand, and most background or fill people in the movie are villagers. I think this adds a bit of realism to the film because it isn’t people playing a part, it is people living their normal daily lives. I loved the tribal training for the young men, although it may have seemed strange to me, it was very interesting to learn their customs.
The surrounding vista was incredible. The bays and hills and individual homes gave the movie real punch. I enjoyed watching the extras section on the DVD although I refrained from a re-viewing with commentary by Niki Caro – kicking myself now. The ‘Behind the Scenes’ featurette Te Waka: Building the Canoe as you are taken through each step of how certain people were chosen and the reverence shown the piece and history they were recreating.
Keisha Castle-Hughes plays the part of Paikea (Pai), the 11 year old princess to be. She was so fresh and winsome and a bit ethereal at the same time. I actually got chills when she climbed on the back of the whale and rode it into and under the ocean, looking back over her shoulder at the crowd gathered on the beach. She appeared beautifully scared and at the same time confident. Her intonations of the Morai language was delivered with a rare dedication.
Her father, Porourangi, played by New Zealander Cliff Curtis, flits in and out of the movie. Almost removed from her life after the death of his wife and son, he is an accomplished artist who just drops in once in a while. You feel he can see the power in his daughter Pai and accepts her belief in her destiny. Curtis doesn’t really spend enough time before camera for me to make a decision about his abilities, but I felt the scene in the temple with his father, Koro, was wonderfully done.
Rawiri Paratene as Koro, the grandfather and chief, left you with split decisions. You can see his point but at the same time see his pain at turning his back on his granddaughter, the true princess. I liked the idea that they kept him strong in his beliefs throughout and did not turn him into a soft mushy caretaker that gives in to the whims of his mystical granddaughter. Paratene was forceful and determined throughout and gave a great performance.
Grant Roa as Uncle Rawiri, the black sheep in the family, is the one that actually teaches Pai the beliefs and respect of her history. I got the feeling that Rawiri was once a great warrior but had turned slovenly and loose even though he kept his beliefs pure.
I got great enjoyment from the music played all through the movie, wonderful pieces. Of course the theme song ‘Just Passing Through’, composed and performed by Nick Theobold was my favorite. Other music was cultural t the tribe and added influence to the scenes it backed.
Whale Rider was nominated for, and won, a slew of awards and rightly so. It seems every category was touched in some way, a true reward for an independent film. I wouldn’t have any problem with young people seeing this movie, teaching them dedication to beliefs, cultural interpretation, ancestry, and spirit.
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