Review of Whale Rider (2003) by Juliet I — 09 Sep 2012

The whaler rider is an engaging movie that takes place in a small Maori village. It starts out in the hospital were a young woman is giving labor. The woman ultimately dies giving birth to twins. The boy dies along with his mother but is survived by her husband and their new baby girl. The grandfather was disappointed that the girl had survived and not the boy, showing no compaction for the death of his sons wife. As the movie goes on you see how the grandfather has come around, showing affection for his granddaughter, Pai. Yet, he never has faith in her as a leader of the tribe. He only sees her as a girl. Not the prophet that he so greatly desires. Pai's father is not living in the village anymore, and she is being raised by her grandfather, and grandmother. When the father comes back for Pai's performance you see that he is very much in love with his daughter. There are just differences in what he thinks is right for him and what his father believes. Pai's does not seem to be bothered by her grandfatherâ(TM)s hurtful remark "what use do I have for her." One gets the feeling that she knows that she is special in some way. She understands that the village came upon hard times after her birth, and Pai is determined to make things right, no matter what her grandfather tells her. Pai remains certain of her destiny and trains herself in the ways and customs of her people. In the end she finds the strength to stand up to her calling. Pai is able to re-unit her people and help them find the strength and hope that was necessary for the villages future. Also, Pai made her grandfather see that he had been wrong. Pai states "I am not a prophet.".

This movie is well suited for the world religion class that I am attending online through Guilford Technical Community College. This tribe is in many ways the same as the indigenous religions that we have been learning about in the previous week. Pai's people hold on to their peopleâ(TM)s ancient ways. The Ngati Konohi, like many indigenous tribes feel certain closeness to the land of their ancestors. They also hold a sacred view for the whale. It is common among many indigenous tribes to feel close to animals and nature. Pai's tribe like many indigenous tribes have been driven from the ancient lands and forced to try and keep their faith alive in an ever changing world.