Essay On The Whale Rider

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Film Review: The Whale Rider (2002) Heaven Tapili-Wetere

When a movies opening scene is a mother dying while giving birth and only one of the twins surviving, you know it's not going to be an easy viewing. The Whale Rider directed by Niki Caro is not the average cliché movie and is not a movie in which viewers comment that they could have written themselves. The Whale Rider is an inspiring story about the collision of māori traditions and modern day values. While Whale Rider isn't the outbreak of an infectious virus that keeps you wanting to watch, Caro manages to keep you glued to your seat.

The unfortunate birth of the twin that survives, Paikea is highlighted throughout this film and within these 20 seconds, there is no hope for the …show more content…
Koro is devastated at the lost of his grandson who had the responsibility to carry the traditions and ancestry of Paikea and in doing so emotionally abandons his granddaughter with his inflexible attitude towards women. Pai must pursue her destiny to become a leader in face of the powerful patriarchal tradition obstinate by koro whose thoughts are vivid that “she is useless to me”. According to Koro everything has taken a right turn since the birth of Pai as she has fractured the maori lineage of Paikea. Every Time Koro sees the innocent, self-determined and intelligent Pai - he sees the end of his people. The detailed yet simple combination of film techniques, lighting and humorous scenes, Caro emphasises the determination and self assurance of Pai’s capability to become the next leader.

A touching scene that sums up Pai’s determination towards the end that shed a tear to my eye was Pai's speech. While speaking to an empty chair reserved for Koro, Pai identifies the love and inspiration he had on her life and upbringing. As expected , koro gets ready to occupy his reserved chair and viewers are expecting the hall doors to crash open as Koro makes a grand entrance. Whether he does or not, you'll have to watch the film?

Conclusion
Although The Whale Rider has next to no plot, the message within the film is touching and masterful. The struggle of this determination girl to find her true place among
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