Whale Rider
In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.
In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.
Drama, Family
-
2003
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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. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
Director:
Cast:
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Details
Rated:
PG-13
Runtime:
101 min
Release date:
30 Jan 2003
Country:
DE, NZ
Languages:
English, Māori
Budget:
$8,000,000
Revenue:
$41,400,000
Awards:
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 33 wins & 35 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
rotten:
The film is closer to a feminist tract. And, like all propaganda, it wants to do all of your thinking for you.
– Jay Boyar,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Jun 2003
rotten:
[The story] is so simple that the audience gets ahead of it from the beginning.
– Mick LaSalle,
San Francisco Chronicle,
27 Jun 2003
fresh:
The most effective and moving female empowerment movie in awhile.
– Eric Harrison,
Houston Chronicle,
3 Jul 2003
fresh:
The filmmaker knows how to seduce an audience without making it feel had. When a movie's this likable, it would take a very tough crowd not to be pleased.
– David Ansen,
Newsweek,
1 Nov 2007
fresh:
Newcomer Castle-Hughes' unaffected, confident turn makes it credible our heroine might retain her determination and self-worth despite serial setbacks.
– Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
22 Jul 2008