Review of Whale Rider (2003) by Janelle C — 18 Nov 2013

Twin grandchildren of a long line of chiefs have been born, a dream of the chief, a young one to take over the tribe and learn the ways and traditions of their ancestors. Falling short of the chiefs dreams when the male twin passes away at birth leaving only the female grandchild and his son, who has no interest in being the leader. Raising his granddaughter with his wife while his son leads a life away from the tribe seems fulfilling yet the void of needing a leader takes over. Although his granddaughter tries for his approval as a leader, the young girl is pushed aside by the chief. She proves herself over and over, with a final act that can't be ignore no matter how much the chief attempts to look away.

This general plot shows true in so many traditions and religions in not only the past but in the future as well. Many religions want and some even insist on the first born to be a boy. Some religions calling for the sacrifice of a child if they are first born and a female. Showing the authority and dominance of the male over the female and ensuring that the male takes the throne or chief role. The movie shows a weakness of the chief but not out in the open, just behind closed doors. A leader, chief, king, or ruler is not to show weakness to his followers, he is supposed to prove to be the go to man, the answer to the questions, the word of the tribe, the knowledge of the community. Slowly stepping out of the male lead roles in the United States, does not mean that this is how it is all over the world. Males dominate the female in most other areas of the world, along with the strong leaders of religion being male.

A great movie, I really enjoyed it and was very touched by the amazing story.