Whale Rider Movie Review 2002

Pai (Castle-Hughes, wonderful in her film debut) is a very determined 12-year-old Maori girl whose very traditional grandfather Koro (Paratene) is the tribal chief. Pai's father (Curtis) should be the next in line but after the death of his wife and Pai's infant twin brother, he's left the family. Although the stubborn Koro loves Pai, he refuses to see his granddaughter as a possible successor and won't train her in the customs that he teaches to the Maori boys. So Pai observes and learns on her own--ready to show everyone that she has what it takes. Title refers to the legend that their ancestor arrived in their land on the back of a whale. Adapted from the 1986 novel by Witi Ihimaera.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 105 minutes.
Originally from New Zealand, German.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Coming of Age, Grandparents, Folklore & Legends

Screenplay

Niki Caro

Cast

Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Clifford Curtis

Cinematography

Leon Narbey

Director

Niki Caro

Music

Lisa Gerrard

Other

David Madigan, David Coulson, Grace Mock, Kirsty Camerson, Grant Major

Producer

John Barnett, Tim Sanders, Frank Hubner, ApolloProMedia, Pandora Film, Forest Whitaker, Newmarket Films

Awards

Ind. Spirit 2004: Foreign Film.