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great
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Good quslity
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is a modern supernatural and begins with the telling of an ancient Maori legend about Paikea - the ancestor the tribes of the East Coast area of New Zealand. Paikea arrived in New Zealand on the back of a whale, and there has been an affinity between his tribe and the whales since. Whale Rider is not full of magic and warm fuzzy feelings however; it is a powerful family drama set in present day. The dysfunctional family in this film are tubulent but fun. It does not compromise on reality, as it begins with the death of a young man's wife in labour. She died giving birth to a daughter whom her father named Paikea to antagonise his father. The name is given only to boys who will lead their people. The son is disillusioned and leaves his baby with his mother and father. However, the old man comes around and adores Paikea. There is much love and a few confrontations in this, as it becomes apparent to the old man that the old ways are dying and he is desperate to hold onto the traditional past. In his desperation, he rejects Paikea, who reels from this hurt, as her father comes back with the news he has become an artist overseas and married a foreigner. This causes friction and he goes to take Paikea with him, but something holds her back, despite the old man's coldness towards her. Into this a pod of whales are stranded on the beach - the old man had tried to call them, but instead it was Paikea who summoned them for him, but they began dying on the beach. There is an emotional scene with the small community desperately trying to save the whales but begin to accept they cannot. Unnoticed, Pai climbs onto the back of the leader and rides him back out to sea. Her family realise she is missing and are devastated. However, all is not lost. This is a lovely story, lots of humour, pathos, and social realisms, it is well worth a watch if you like human dramas especially with a touch of wimsy. And the setting in beautiful - long sandy beaches, blue sea and blue sky and a small Maori village.Read full review
i was taken totally unawares by the power of this movie. very touching, even magical. this is a story of the relationship between a girl & her grandfather. he's the chief of a maouri tribe & is desparately seeking a new leader to lead his people out of the chaos they find themselves in in this modern world without a traditional upbringing. he sets out by teaching all the first born sons their old ways but despite his best efforts to exclude his granddaughter she is determined to learn everything she can about her tribe. she has to struggle against her grandfather & their old beliefs but eventually proves herself to be the one he was looking for, decreed by their ancestors. a must see! a good heroine movie for girls.
I just loved watching Whale Rider because it was very original, spirital, authentic well acted and the most beautiful scenery. I bought it because I just caught the last half hour of the film on TV. I thought I must see all of this. I could not get it from my local DVD hire centre. They doubted I would be able to get it.I was so pleased when I got it on Ebay. I have been lending it to friends. One of the best films I have seen it has everything. Brilliant. Linda
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