Based on Witi Ihimaeras novel of the same name, Niki Caros Whale Rider is a moving depiction of a young Maori girl battling to overturn the patriarchal traditions of her Ngati Konohi tribal community. She gives birth to a baby girl, but things soon take a turn for the worse as the narrator reveals, When I was born, my twin brother died and took our mother with him. Graduateway.com is owned and operated by Radioplus Experts Ltd You cannot copy content from our website. $18.75 + $3.65 shipping. Analysis: The Plight Of Captive Killer Whales These animals aren't happy or healthy and keeping them in captivity is inhumane. Porourangis unfinished te waka (ceremonial canoe) is left abandoned on the beach, acting as a constant reminder to Koro of his unfulfilled mission to anoint another male heir to tribal leadership (Sison 2012: 122). This is traditionally reserved for males. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. While the grandfather is explaining about the ancestors, hes trying to start the engine but the rope breaks. Koro had believed that Porourangis first-born was destined to be the boy who would be chief, responsible for leading the community into a new age of prosperity, and he initially refuses to acknowledge his granddaughter. 'The Whale Rider' tells the story of a girl destined to be a leader of her people. Available at www.indiewire.com/article/girl_power_new_zealand_ writerdirector_niki_caro_talks_about_whale_ rider. Her koro Apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only.. Rawiri takes up the challenge with fervour and not only trains Paikea to be the best in the tribe but also recovers his own sense of identity and self worth. (Smith 2006: 113). Instead, she spies on them and does everything the class does, except by herself. When the audience is watching the film, they compare their own family experiences with the ones in the story. Koro takes it upon himself to arrange another partner for his son, a teacher from Pais school, who he believes will deliver Porourangi a male child. Growing Up without ever knowing her mother or twin brother. The techniques that the composer uses to express the journeys are personification, onomatopoeia, repetition, similes, metaphors, music and acting skills., Whale Talk is a book of many themes. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. some symbols in the whale rider are the whale, the whale rider, the waka, and the taiha. Pai sympathises with Koro and prays to her ancestors for help, with a voice-over revealing, They heard me, initiating the films most iconic and emotional sequence. The Film 'Whale Rider' uses cinematic techniques such as camera angles as an element to emphasise emotion and reactions to circumstances and conflict. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. It is also implied that Koro had previously alienated Pais uncle Rawiri, who, given the fact he was not Koros firstborn son, was never considered a suitable leader for the tribe, leading him to lose touch with his Maori heritage. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. By tradition the heir . A nations culture resides in the heart and soul of its people- Mahatma Gandi and this culture is kept alive by what they do. Koro sees it as a sign of his failure and despairs further. Even when Pai becomes rather proficient in taiana fighting, this still does not prove to Koro that she is good enough to be a leader of the people. The drama Away, by Michael Gow has been very intricately written, Gow has used physical journey to portray the inner journey taking place in each of his characters lives. Whale Rider shows so many interesting and emotional themes: failure and hope, strength, and determination, all of them are witnessed in the points of past, present, and future ideals. Pais father refuses to assume traditional leadership; instead he moves to Germany to pursue a career as an artist. The following chapter will compare and contrast the content, the structure, e.g. A Maori family, despite their beliefs or rituals, can be just like an American family, or any other one. This shows how she has leadership, since the rope represents the ancestors and by her grandfather breaking the rope shows how the culture has been broken apart. Her father refuses leadership, and returns to Germany, but Paikea is interested, even though she is a female and it goes against all tradition. Another theme is Independence because in chapter 15, Kristin Sweetwater finally breaks up with Mike Barbour and actually sticks with the breakup., Every December, a fleet of hungry, evil whaling vessels set sail from Japan to commence their annual hunt on the minke and humpback whales in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary in the Southern Ocean. She made a loud sound and the whales dove into the water, as if Kahu was warning them. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths and Helen Tiffin, Key Concepts in Post-Colonial Studies, London and New York, Routledge, 1998. She stands up to her grandfather in painful scenes, she finds dignity, and yet the next second she's running around the village like the kid she is. Whale Rider is a contemporary re-telling of the 1000-year-old legend about legendary first ancestor named Paikea. Upon accepting Rawiri undergoes a transformation, immediately feeling at one with his ancient tribal heritage: This artefact of tradition has an almost sacramental character and seems to immediately recall him to himself, to remind him of not only who he is but who is called to be. He left for New Zealand to pursue his art career, leaving Pai behind to be raised by her grandparents and aunts. In case you can't find a relevant example, our professional writers are ready Pai herself is interested in the leadership, learning traditional songs and dances, but is given little encouragement by her grandfather. Pai climbs onto the back of the whale and makes it re-enter the ocean. I highly recommend you use this site! Director Niki Caro Writers Niki Caro Witi Ihimaera (book "The Whale Rider") Stars Keisha Castle-Hughes Rawiri Paratene Vicky Haughton See production, box office & company info Watch on Freevee I recite these facts right at the top of this review because I fear you might make a hasty judgment that you don't want to see a movie about a 12-year-old Maori girl who dreams of becoming the chief of her people. WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION Porourangi worked on building a Waka (canoe), a Maori cultural tradition, before the birth of his twins but due to his loss of wife and son, he stops and moves to Germany. Three months after Kahu was born, her mother, Rehua, died. Koro decides to form a cultural school for the village boys, hoping to find a new leader. They added tobacco and corn due to those ideas being popular. Both are signs of internalized oppression. Pai feels that she can become the leader, although theres no precedent for a woman to do so, and is determined to succeed. The Maine Lobstermen's Association last September appealed a federal decision on some restrictions, and the case is now being heard in Washington. They are a replication of the broadly understood human culture (Falassi, 1987). Summary amp Characters Study com. Some Important Scenes & Quotations from Whale Rider 1. The films plot follows the story of Paikea Apirana (Pai)[In the book, her name is Kahu, short for Kahutia Te Rangi], a 12-year-old girl who is the only living child in the line of the tribes chiefly succession following the death of her twin brother and mother when she was born. This essay was written by a fellow student. The movie seems headed for the ancient cliche of the auditorium door which opens at the last moment to reveal the person that the child onstage desperately hopes to see--but no, that's not what happens. These three well-used techniques are camera shots, lighting and sound and dialogue. The series is part of the celebrations of the 50th . Whale rider scene analysis Introduction Whale Rider follows a little girl named Paikea (whose mother and twin brother died at birth and her father is in Germany) as she tries to find acceptance from her grandfather (Koro), who blames her for "all" their issues and is chastised multiple times by Koro. Spirituality & Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys Whale Rider Year: 2002 Director: Niki Caro Rating: PG-13 Communication Concepts: Self-Concept Communication Climate (Disconfirmation) Assertiveness Whale Rider takes place in present day New Zealand, where a 12-year-old girl named Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is growing up in an all-Maori community. She uses her gifts of communicating with nature to save a beached pod of whales, and because of that she is finally accepted. Her family thought she would die, but they soon realize that she is the whale rider. Koro is bitterly disappointed when Porourangi announces to his family that he already has a pregnant lover in Germany and will not be returning home with the child, putting an end to Koros aspirations. Please note! The Whale Rider by Witt Alhambra has many important themes that are represented by several characters in the text such as Koru Farina, who struggles to put aside traditional values and struggles to input moored values. Koro, Pai's grandfather and leader of the Maori tribe, is devastated that their future leader has died. They are the Sea Shepherds and they operate under the United Nations World Charter for Nature. 545 Words3 Pages. When I finished the story I believe that the theme of The Whale Rider was to overcome the odds to achieve the greatness. Meet Kahu, a young Maori girl, and follow her journey as she contradicts the roles females are expected to play in her culture and develops a relationship with whales. Teaching Resources for Middle Grade & Young Adult Books, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Teaching Death & Loss in Children's Books, Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin Discussion Questions, Iqbal: A Novel - Book Summary & Characters, American Born Chinese: Book Summary, Analysis & Themes, American Born Chinese: Book Characters & Quotes, American Born Chinese Discussion Questions, Journey of the Sparrows Summary & Characters, Wonder by R.J. Palacio: Summary & Characters, Pre-Reading Activities for Wonder by R.J. Palacio, Wonder by R.J. 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Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro.Based on the 1987 novel The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera, the film stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as Kahu Paikea Apirana, a twelve-year-old Mori girl whose ambition is to become the chief of the tribe. The story of the fossil being cut from bedrock at the Little Wanganui River mouth last October sparked outrage in the local community and made headlines across the . In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. Pai is a free-spirited tomboy. Indeed, as Sison suggests, the cultural milieu of Whale Rider is characterised by the ongoing Maori quest for soul and identity in the postcolonial aftermath (Sison 2012: 122), and it is these themes, as well as female empowerment, which underpin the narrative. After Pai is hospitalized Koro realizes that Pai is the leader that they have been waiting for and asks for her forgiveness. Her journey begins when she does not even know anything about becoming leader; she is living a normal life, doing her school work and living with her grandparents. Many voyages that heroin's encounter are regularly identified with the four mythical functions. This novel unfolds the history of the Maori Tribe that by tradition the new chief would be the first born son directly descended from their ancient ancestor Paikea. There's an amusing sequence where they practice looking ferocious to scare their enemies. It can mean that one has self-respect, but it can also mean that one is arrogant and has a huge ego. This website helped me pass! 1672. The first is of an indigenous girl named Kahu in a New Zealand Maori village who rediscovers the power of her people's belief that their ancestors came to their island on the backs of whales. They are going there to do whatever is necessary to make sure Japan does not kill any whales as it is illegal to kill whales in this sanctuary in Antarctica. Whale Rider 15th Anniversary Edition . Choose skilled expert on your subject and get original paper with free plagiarism Cinematographer: Leon Narbey. Marginalised from contemporary New Zealand society, the Maori community is ostensibly struggling in rural poverty and obscurity; rusting car wrecks and abandoned machinery litter the otherwise idyllic Whangara coastline (the northeast region of New Zealands North Island where the film was shot), emphasising the intrusion of Western/Pakeha culture and the effects of modernity. What is the boat called in whale rider? When she returns, her grandfather acts as if nothing has happened, and focuses more on the task at hand, finding somebody to lead the tribe. for only $16.05 $11/page. The program saw the city offer up to $1,200 for anyone looking to buy an electric bike, an additional $500 was also available for anyone considering a cargo bike. The stoic mysticism of Niki Caro's cool-handed charmer ''Whale Rider'' -- in which the young Pai must overcome resistance as she tries to assume her destiny as the leader of a tribe on the New. And then--well, the movie does not end as we expect. Porourangi would be next in line but has no interest in returning home. 194 lessons. Pharapreising and interpretation due to major educational standards released by a particular educational institution as well as tailored to your educational institution if different; The opening sequence presents a powerful juxtaposition between contemporary culture and Maori heritage, with a modern hospital birth-scene intercut with mysterious shots of a whale and a female narrator recounting the Maori tale of Paikea: a mythical descendant of the Ngati Konohi tribe who discovered Whangara on the back of a humpback whale after his canoe had capsized off the coast of Hawaiki the ancient Maori homeland. Create your account, 4 chapters | Koro explains to her about her ancestors and he uses a rope to demonstrate how the strings from the rope represent her ancestors. He teaches the boys to use a taiaha (fighting stick). Sponsored. The people from Maori have been waiting for so long that they have lost hope and flight of people. world is slowly crashing down around her. And if that were not bad enough, Paikea ("Pai") lost her father as well. The book "The Whale Rider" by Witi Ihimaera is about a girl named Kahu and is in line to becoming chief in her tribe but greatly discouraged by her grandfather . Pride can be seen in both positive and negative ways. The main social issue that is brought up by the film is the function of the woman in a world controlled mostly by men. report, Analysis of the Whale Rider. the boat is called a waka What was the whales name in. For Jimmy and Roxane Henderson, though, it's what they do when their son Jordan plays hoops for Canisius College . berkeley Synopsis All People have the same emotions: they upset and cry, they feel happy and laugh. Eventually, he begins teaching classes that teach the young boys how to act like true tribesmen. Various types of journeys can be seen clearly in the three texts studied this year: The Happiest Refugee extract, written by Anh Doh in 2010, The Silver Donkey novel by Sonya Hartnett in 2004 and the film Bend It Like Beckham directed by Gurinder Chadha in 2002. Paikeas grandmother, Nanny Flowers, reveals that Rawiri was once a champion taiahi fighter, and asks him to tutor Pai. Traveling, in basketball, is a player taking too many steps without dribbling. This book is called The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. The composers of different texts all employ a number of different techniques to convey, to the reader, their ideas about a journey and the impact that the journey being taken may have on an individual or group. Similar to Things Fall Apart, the film Whale Rider by Niki Caro explores the breakdown of Maori culture in post-colonial New Zealand. She finished the paper in a timely manner! By tradition the heir to the leadership of the Maori tribe has to be the first born son- a direct patrilineal descendant of Paikea. They attempt to move the largest bull whale using a tractor, but it is a problem that cannot be resolved by modern technology. " Women, like men, should try to do the impossible, and when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others."-. Another example of how the culture is unhealthy is when Pai goes to her uncle Rawiris house to ask if he can teach her taiaha, the uncle is just lying down being lazy with his wife smoking. Many centuries ago a legendary ancestor named Paikea brought there the Maori people, who still lives there. Differences Between the Whale Rider and Whale Rider Essay, Pride in Antigone and in Whale Rider Essay, The Themes of Tradition and Modernity in Bollywood Movies Essay, Family Tree and Other Customs of the Manchu Culture Essay, Enduring Issues: Conflict Between Traditional Culture and Modernization Essay, Family Traditions and Importance of Them Essay, The Importance of Culture and Traditions for Identity in Society Essay, What Should We Know About Obie Tradition Essay, Study Review on the Role of Festivals in Society and Culture Essay. Pai wanted to show Koro how strong she was so he could love her. As for Pai, all she wants to do is to earn Koros respect this point is brightly illustrated in the scene where she gives a speech dedicated to Koro. There are several similarities and differences between The Whale Rider and Whale Rider. Supplemental understanding of the topic including revealing main issues described in the particular theme; Paikea has an intrinsic connection with right whales, an important symbol for her tribe. Throughout the novel, Ihimaera juxtaposes the migration of a herd of whales with the Maori tribe's search for a male heir. 2023's Most Anticipated Sequels, Prequels, and Spin-offs. The summary of The Whale Rider is about a young girl, named Pai, who wants to be chief. account. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. Koro is heartbroken when he throws his whale bone into the ocean and not one of the boys manages to retrieve it. He is certain that through a process of teaching the ancient chants, tribal lore and warrior techniques, the future leader of their tribe will be revealed to him. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKEssays.com. Koros high standards make him look stubborn and that is why he pushes Pai away from him. Despite his anger, he will come, won't he? He takes the remaining boys out to sea in his speedboat and throws his whale-tooth necklace overboard stating that he needs someone to demonstrate the spirit needed to recover the necklace (which symbolises the tribes connection to their ancestors). The most rewarding of these is that of Pai and her grandfather. In the end everyone from the village is celebrating her status as a leader, and working together, the waka is finished and is taken into the sea. By using these techniques Niki has created a film that is emotionally connected to the viewers., b. The theme ofWhale Rideris female empowerment is not unique, but the context in which it is presented is very interesting and unusual. However, Pai is female and technically cannot inherit the leadership. To try and combat the cost increase of an e-bike versus an "analog" model, Denver launched a series of rebates for anyone looking to buy an electric bike last year. There are three different types of journey; they are inner, physical and imaginative. In the beginning, the Manchu people were into agriculture. Whale Rider is a great example of the problems that many cultures and families are facing around the world. The film ends with the village, including Pais father, uncle, and grandparents, celebrating her status as leader, as the finished waka is hauled into the sea for its maiden voyage. Years later Koro is determined to find a leader and begins to teach and train the boys, in which Pai is not allowed to join because she is a girl. RyanMottesheard, Girl Power: New ZealandWriter/ Director Niki Caro Talks About Whale Rider, IndieWire, June 6, 2003. 'I heard helicopters whirling around and the ships in the river using all their sirens - a whale had So many films by and about teenagers are mired in vulgarity and stupidity; this one, like its heroine, dares to dream. This technique stresses the notion of even items separated by time being interconnected which makes them part of the oneness of the world. It would have been Pais father or her twin brother if either of them were still around. The notion of journey is apparent is Beneath Clouds by Ivan Sen, as well as in related texts Stand By Me by Rob Reiner and Bushwalking by Phillip Rush. Koro attempts to discover their new leader through a cultural reform school solely for the first-born sons of every family. No plagiarism guarantee. Retrieved from https://graduateway.com/analysis-of-the-whale-rider/, Coming Of Age across Cultures in Film: Whale Rider and Rabbit-Proof Fence Analysis, Analysis of the Film Easy Rider Directed by Dennis Hopper, Fox and coyote and whale compare and contrast. The beginning of the film 'Whale Rider' introduces the characters in a close-up camera shot. The old culture is continuously struggling to keep alive, to keep its people, its unigue traditions and customs, in a quickly changing world, that leaves the past behind. What Koro does not understand is that Pai is the leader they have been waiting for. Similar themes are also discovered in Swallow the Air (2006) exploring the course to discovery and the sometimes devastating circumstances that t the quest for an understanding of ones cultural heritage. A close-up camera shot allows the audience to focus on a character's feelings or thoughts. You may use it as a guide or sample for The Whale Rider by Ihimaera, Witi at AbeBooks.co.uk - ISBN 10: 1439517193 - ISBN 13: 9781439517192 - 2008 . Soon after, there is another mass group of beached whales. Pais father leaves her because he doesnt believe that there is such thing as a leader and shows that he does not want any part of the culture. This hero is an unlikely one, a small girl, from a small tribe, in a small village in New Zealand. Rehua's family wanted to raise her in their tribe. Free shipping for many products! what's in your head? When she goes out to sea, Nanny Flowers shows Koro the whale tooth which Pai had previously recovered. To take advantage of all of CharacTours features, you need your own personal . Journey involves interacting with new people and environments, which ultimately results in the change of the person. Another reason why Koro pushes her away is because he believes that everything went wrong when she was born. For example, in the beginning when Koro goes to see the baby boy and tells Nanny to take Pai away from where he is. Kahu's great-grandmother Nanny Flowers loves Kahu and does not care that she is not a boy, and has tried to convince Koro to accept her. The film gained much respect from critics, it went on in film festivals such as Sundance and Tribecca, and gained international recognition. 10 of the best book quotes from The Whale Rider. Pai states, My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the whale rider. Her father, Porourangi (Cliff Curtis), an artist, leaves New Zealand, and the little girl is raised and much loved by her grandparents Koro and Nanny Flowers. A special attention should be paid to a the concept of shadows in the story, as it has an important meaning. Rated PG-13 Her father, Porourangi, and Koro convinced Nanny Flowers that this was a good idea. Her grandfather, who is her Herald in a way, condemns her for issues within the tribe. The movie shows this visually and thematically all throughout the story. She leaves with her father, but on their way to the airport, she suddenly decides to turn around and return to her grandparents, for she cannot leave them. The film opens with Porourangi, eldest son of Koro, the current chief, anxiously supporting his wife who is in labour. Whale Rider is a 2002 drama film directed by Niki Caro, based on the novel of the same name. The rope proceeds to break when he tests it, which is further indication to Koro that the sacred line of the tribe is broken, that their ancestors have abandoned them in the face of modernity. "There livedwhile the country was yet a province of Great Britain, a simple . When Kahu finds out, she is devastated. Pai, of course, is banned from these classes, but she eavesdrops and enlists a wayward uncle to reveal some of the secrets of the males. History of Sex in Cinema Filmsite org. While Kahu was visiting the family when she was two years old, she saw whales at the beach on the way back from a trip to the movies with her uncle Rawiri. Koro is the chief of these people. Caro effectively uses the different generations starting with the eldest, that of Koro and other traditional leaders, to the youngest generation of Paikea through a complex story that shows traditional change. Identity is not what race we are born into or the colour of our skin it is, For over 40 years, Massillon-Washington High School has continued a tradition of leasing a new tiger cub as a mascot every year for their football season. characters are most like you. When Koro tries to look for another rope, Pai ties the rope together and starts the engine. The texts we have studied in class Yolngu Boy and Whale Rider are excellent examples of how important cultural identity and belief are in communities. He is acting out of distress when he moves to Germany to pursue a career as an artist, and he has learned that he can never live up to Koros expectations. Niki Caro's Whale Rider - An analysis in relation to journeys. Analysis of the Whale Rider The film's plot follows the story of Paikea Apirana ("Pai") [In the book, her name is Kahu, short for Kahutia Te Rangi], a 12-year-old girl who is the only living child in the line of the tribe's chiefly succession following the death of her twin brother and mother when she was born. When Kahu is nine years old, a group of about 200 whales are stranded in shallow waters. Download Free PDF. On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale.

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