Abstract
“Whale Rider” is a drama film of the 2002, based on the novel of Witi Ihimaera, and directed by Niki Caro. The world première was on September 2002, at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film gained much respect from critics, it went on in film festivals such as Sundance and Tribecca, and gained international recognition. It has a lot of awards through the world: BAFTA Childrens' Award, Best Feature Film - 2003; Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, Best Young Actor/Actress (Keisha Castle-Hughes) - 2004; Chicago Film Critics Association Award, Most Promising Performer (Keisha Castle-Hughes) - 2004; Cinemanila International Film Festival, Special Jury Prize - 2003; Humanitas Prize, Sundance Film Category - 2003; Independent Spirit Award, Best Foreign Film (New Zealand) - 2004; Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival and others.
“Whale Rider”is a contemporary re-telling of the 1000-year-old legend about legendary first ancestor named Paikea. This film combines elements of history, traditions, depicting them from the point of view of a child, that sees the world not in black and white terms. On the other hand, it is a drama about relationship of a young girl and her grandfather.
Heroes and characters
The film ”Whale rider” is considered to be a personal and family drama, showing that families even in the most far away parts of the world have similar relations and personal problems. All People have the same emotions: they upset and cry, they feel happy and laugh. A Maori family, despite their beliefs or rituals, can be just like an American family, or any other one.
The story takes place in the small town Whangara in New Zealand. Many centuries ago a legendary ancestor named Paikea brought there the Maori people, who still lives there. The myth about Paikea says that he was rescued by a whale, after his canoe was lost in the sea. He rode the whale and founded the Maori people, and from that day the tradition