Review of Whale Rider (2003) by Abby D — 05 Sep 2009

"Whale Rider" was a beautiful film that embraced the importance of tradition, the pain of neglect, and the love of family. Keisha Castle-Hughes gives an incredible, heart wrenching performance as Paikea.

During Pai's birth, her mother dies, along with a twin brother. Koro's (Pai's grandfather) thought at that time was not for his grieving son, but only that he lost a male grandchild. A granddaughter can not carry on the long line of chiefs.

He wanted nothing to do with a granddaughter. Pai grows to be a spunky free spirit being raised by her grandmother and Koro. Her father is an artist who travels Europe and is not always around. It is clear he loves his daughter and she loves him.

Pai wants disparately to be what Koro wants. Koro loves Pai but he has never gotten over that his grandson died and she survived. Pai's father returns home for a visit and wishes for Pai to come live with him.

After saying her emotional goodbyes, she can not leave her grandparents. From this moment on, Koro is cruel to Pai. Pai fights for his approval. Though Koro shows his disapproval to Pai, she never loses respect for him.

She idolizes her grandfather. Pai retrieves Koro whale tooth necklace after the young group of boys he was teach failed to do so. One night, Koro finds a group of beached whales on the shore. Everyone tries through the night to save them.

Koro is most emotional toward the largest whale. After a failed attempt to return the whale to the ocean, they give up. Pai was told not to touch the whale by Koro, that "she had done enough." When everyone left, Pai rides the whale into the ocean.

Koro's wife gives him he necklace Pai got back for him as he watches Pai go under with the whale. Pai survives causing a new found appreciation in their culture from everyone. Pai gains the respect from Koro and is reunited with her father.

This film portrayed a group of people unwilling to give up on their culture. Koro is somewhat of a storyteller who passes down the history of their people through the story of the whale rider. The film is rich in indigenous culture seen through initiations, rituals, and history.

The whale is almost worshiped for its' significance to the people. It could be seen a animism. There is a strong spiritual meaning to the whale. The young boys are put through teaching from Koro on becoming a chief like an initiation into adulthood.

Being told to dive for Koro's necklace is also seen in the same light. In the end, a beautiful ceremony was held as the canoe (carrying Pai and her grandfather) was put to sea. Rituals like that are thick in indigenous cultures used to represent significant moments in an individual's life as well as a cultures.