Her mother died giving birth, and her twin brother never had a chance. As Koro has made it crystal clear that no girl can ever become chief, its an uphill battle, to say the least. Pai states, Maori women have got to stop smoking, we have to protect our childbearings. This quote helps to show how the women do not care about their health and just smoke. Another example is how Pais father leaves Pai with Koro while hes in Germany pursuing his career as an artist. At one point Paikea decides to leave with her father because her grandfather is mistreating her. 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. At school, she is the most interested in Paikea culture and origins, unlike the other boys. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. The boy and the mother die. succeed. The play Away by Michael Gow as well as the Poem Sail Through Your Emotions, Don't Sink by Bashyam Narayanan and The Film Into the wild by Sean Penn all display the concept of the physical journey through their use of dialogue, language, structure and theme. When Pai ties the rope together this shows, how she is a leader shes willing to put the pieces together and fix the culture that has lost hope. "Whale Rider" arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audience-grabbers of recent years. Traveling, in basketball, is a player taking too many steps without dribbling. There are three different types of journey; they are inner, physical and imaginative. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . assume youre on board with our, https://graduateway.com/analysis-of-the-whale-rider/. The Chief of their tribe is her grandfather Koro, but there is no one to in line after him. Niki Caro's Whale Rider - An analysis in relation to journeys. 'The Whale Rider' tells the story of a girl destined to be a leader of her people. History of Sex in Cinema Filmsite org. Deadline from 3 hours. He gave them gifts, including the ability to communicate with animals and nature. Living in Whangara, a small Maori village in New Zealand. The second concerns the ancient leader of a pod of cetaceans who has suffered 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. 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. 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. And if that were not bad enough, Paikea ("Pai") lost her father as well. Whale Ridershows emotional experience of a young Maori girl, Pai, who is the main character and the most bright personality in the film. The genius of the movie is the way is sidesteps all of the obvious cliches of the underlying story and makes itself fresh, observant, tough and genuinely moving. 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. 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. Lesson Plans for English Language Arts and Literature. Issues such as cultural differences and gender equality are presented by the composers through the clever use of devices appropriate to the medium, while using the post-colonial context to accentuate these issues. 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. Free shipping for many products! 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). 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. It's a story about a young Maori girl, Paikea Apirana that's born into the chief line along with a twin brother. Koro is heartbroken when he throws his whale bone into the ocean and not one of the boys manages to retrieve it. 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. Similarly, Smith (2006: 110) suggests the imposition of Pakeha culture and opportunities of modernity has created a lost generation amongst the Maori people, with several characters portraying the effects of this modern allure. The effects and overall impact of a journey will depend on the characteristics of the particular journey undertaken. She rises to her grandfathers disapproval and even Whale Rider tells the story of Pai, who faces the subtle resentment of her grandfather Koro as he attempts to re-establish the old traditions of their ancestors. When she goes out to sea, Nanny Flowers shows Koro the whale tooth which Pai had previously recovered. No plagiarism guarantee. The most rewarding of these is that of Pai and her grandfather. Personality determined, wise, and sensitive. "Our Koro was like an old whale stranded in an alien present, but that was how it was supposed to be, because he also had his role in the pattern of things, in the tides of the future". The whales also are a symbol of the relationship between man and nature. Chapter 2 gives us the point of view of the whales. The bull whale remembers his master, the "golden man. The idea of Journey in these texts is portrayed through obstacles, various poetic and film techniques., A physical journey which involves the movement from one place to another can have lasting effects on an individual or group which can be mental, emotional, physical, or a combination. What is the boat called in whale rider? Pai believes that she could serve as the chief, but her grandfather, despite his love, fiercely opposes this idea. The myth about Paikea says that he was rescued by a whale, after his canoe was lost in the sea. When Paikea expresses her interest she is excluded by her grandfather, who is adamant that a woman should not be involved in learning about tribal leadership. Also, the largest whale traditionally belongs to the legendary Paikea. Do you have a 2:1 degree or higher? Both text are similar as they discuss issues of poverty within the indigenous communities along with the longing to discover themselves through discovering their past., The film Whale Rider took me on a whale of an emotional ride. Find out how you match to her and 5500+ other characters. Whale Rider is a contemporary re-telling of the 1000-year-old legend about legendary first ancestor named Paikea. She has used a number of cinematic techniques in this film to create atmosphere and sometimes show what the character is feeling. There are several similarities and differences between The Whale Rider and Whale Rider. Koros high standards make him look stubborn and that is why he pushes Pai away from him. Clock is ticking and inspiration doesn't come? From this point of view, the film establishes a personal form of communication in the family, despite all cultural, racial, and geographical boundaries. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. However, Pai fixes the rope and the motor runs fine, much to Koros frustration; frustrated that a young girl managed to repair something he couldnt, and for what it symbolises, that a female could become chief and restore the tribe. 1672. We've received widespread press coverage since 2003, Your UKEssays purchase is secure and we're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. These texts show how the physical journey affects the travellers and causes a change in them., Niki Caro directed the film 'The Whale Rider'. This time, while no one is looking, Kahu jumps into the water and talks to the whales. One day Koro summons all of the young teenage boys of the village to a series of compulsory lessons on how to be a Maori, and the leader of Maoris. The film is from New Zealand, though it has many Australian elements, it shows the connection between the land and the native people. Whale Rider is a 2002 drama film directed by Niki Caro, based on the novel of the same name. writing your own paper, but remember to account. Registered address: Louki Akrita, 23 Bellapais Court, Flat/Office 46 1100, Nicosia, Cyprus Nanny insists on making him acknowledge his granddaughter and hands Pai to him to carry her. Paikea trains in secret, eavesdropping on Koros classes, determined to learn all she can of her ancestral customs. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Whale Rider (Lions Gate) (2002)(DVD)*DISC ONLY at the best online prices at eBay! Growing Up without ever knowing her mother or twin brother. Before man, "in the years that have gone before us, the land and sea felt a great emptiness, a yearning" (8). . Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths and Helen Tiffin, Key Concepts in Post-Colonial Studies, London and New York, Routledge, 1998. Every culture has its own traditions and many of the times these traditions are broken when new generations are born. When Pai asks where her people come from, in what can be considered a key scene, Koro likens their ancestral line to the intertwining strands of a rope he is using to fix a boat motor. Koro explains to her about her ancestors and he uses a rope to demonstrate how the strings from the rope represent her ancestors. Whale Rider (15th Anniversary Edition) [New Blu-ray] Shout Factory Select. Koros eyes, mirrored in these events, portray a great sadness to the films audience. $15.00. As Pai grows older, her defiant character of a leader becomes evident. Similar to Things Fall Apart, the film Whale Rider by Niki Caro explores the breakdown of Maori culture in post-colonial New Zealand. 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. By tradition the heir to the leadership of the Maori tribe has to be the first born son- a direct patrilineal descendant of Paikea. Please note! Pais koro, Apirana, or Old Paka as his wife Nanny Flowers calls him, the leader of the tribe, is initially angry at losing his grandson and being left with a worthless female. Unfortunately the tradition was broken when Pais twin brother passes away. Meet Kahu, a young Maori girl, and follow her journey as she contradicts the roles females are expected to play. Although Koro thinks everything will never be the same he is wrong. By continuing well 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. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. 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. Director and Screenwriter: Niki Caro. Pequea Makita. The story takes place in New Zealand where the Maori people of a small village claim descent from the Whale Rider, Paikea. Her father refuses leadership, and returns to Germany, but Paikea is interested, even though she is a female and it goes against all tradition. Unbeknown to Koro, Rawiri later takes Pai out in the boat, who not only finds the necklace, but also manages to catch a lobster as a present for her grandfather. Porourangi refuses to assume traditional leadership. Available at www.indiewire.com/article/girl_power_new_zealand_ writerdirector_niki_caro_talks_about_whale_ rider. the speedboat and tractor) connotes the complex mix of attraction and repulsion that characterises the relationship between the coloniser and colonised (Ashcroft et al., 1998: 12). It is not just a family film, just an Australian film it is a film that can touch the hearts of millions. 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. The symbolism from the beginning foreshadows Pais future as a leader: a close up of the crying babys green eye mirrors the close up of a whales eye. A letter she wrote to Rawiri while he was in Papua New Guinea read, "'I am seven. Pai, in an attempt to bridge the rift that has formed, invites Koro to be her guest of honour at a concert of Mori chants that her school is putting on. 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 . In the film, Whale Rider, through mythical creation powers, the hero endeavors to save her dying culture. 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. She also secretly follows Koros lessons. Consequently, people must boycott companies like SeaWorld so that captive orcas can be set free into sanctuaries. For generations, this tribe was always told that a man is to be the leader. The other roles are also strongly cast, especially Rawiri Paratene and Vicky Haughton as the grandparents. Lyrics to Whalerider Found A Lie: This is another story About how things have changed Everything that i knew Was a lie You turn me upside down You shouldn't cross the line tonight Wish i could turn around And leave it all behind So i broke your heart To look The book's narrator, Kahu's uncle Rawiri, then explains that the tribe's first chief and ancestor, Kahutia Te Rangi, who is also called Paikea, came to their land on the back of a whale, making him the whale rider. The indie film Whale Rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. Pai wanted to show Koro how strong she was so he could love her. report, Analysis of the Whale Rider. "Whale Rider" arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audience-grabbers of recent years. Whale Rider is a drama film of the 2002, based on the novel of Witi Ihimaera, and directed by Niki Caro. It is a film for everyone who wants to learn the story of a young girl, her future and her success in a mens world. I would definitely hire her again! cite it correctly. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. Sison (2012: 134) proposes that this ending follows a particular theological trajectory, with Paikeas symbolic reincarnation having a transformative impact on the community. Production Company: South Pacific Pictures, ApolloMedia Distribution, Pandora Filmproduktion. This essay was written by a fellow student. what's in your head? The inner journey is one which involves the hurdling of psychological barriers, as well as cultural and social obstacles, rather than just a physical trek. He admonishes Pai against touching the largest whale because she has done enough damage with her presumption. 194 lessons. 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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. These are their battles this is their war., Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by language, religion, social habits, traditions, stories and music. Koro is equally as upset because he feels that this is a sign for his people. The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. Most heroes are big strong men, or mythical creatures that have thousands of stories and tales written about them. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. This is traditionally reserved for males. The story takes place in the small town Whangara in New Zealand. Traditionally family was described as a group of individuals We are nothing but bricks from our cultural moulds Bangambiki Habyarimana, Book of Wisdom 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. By Hemis father leaving so soon Hemi feels upset because he really wanted to show his father what he has learned about his culture. It won the audience awards as the most popular film at both the Toronto and Sundance film festivals, played to standing ovations, left audiences in tears. Paikea is a small girl that is 13 years old, and is a direct descendant of Paikea, the original whale rider. An error occurred trying to load this video. The Manchurians have a unique way of life. Nanny Flowers has often threatened to divorce Koro over his treatment of Kahu. She struggles to gain the approval of her grandfather and her people. Whale Rider is a great example of the problems that many cultures and families are facing around the world. Interests whatever the boys are doing. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Koros adoption of Western/Pakeha clothing and his noticeable reliance on modern technologies (i.e. 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. Paikeas grandmother, Nanny Flowers, reveals that Rawiri was once a champion taiahi fighter, and asks him to tutor Pai. 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 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. They added tobacco and corn due to those ideas being popular. 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. 'I heard helicopters whirling around and the ships in the river using all their sirens - a whale had She understood my main topic well and follow the instruction accordingly. This is a hot issue of many cultures through the world even today, as women try to gain a respectable place by hard working. The story follows Paikea (Pai), who has disappointed her community by being born a girl. At the beginning of the film, we see that Koro genuinely cares for his granddaughter, but his disappointment about her gender is evident. Despite his anger, he will come, won't he? It follows the journeys of Pai, a young girl, and Koro, her grandfather, who both seek to uphold and preserve the Maori tradition, which has been negatively influenced by the European culture. Soon after, there is another mass group of beached whales. 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. In one scene, Hami, the most promising student in Koros school, challenges Pai to a taiahi duel, which Pai eventually wins. The entire village trys to drag them back into the water but, where unsuccessful. A man who removed a whale fossil from a riverbank at Little Wanganui on the West Coast has apologised for his actions, but the exact fate of the treasured taonga remains unknown. He doesnt see that Pai is the leader that the people of Maori have been waiting for. In the film Whale Rider depicts a culture in transition. Rehua's family wanted to raise her in their tribe. When the audience is watching the film, they compare their own family experiences with the ones in the story. Journey involves interacting with new people and environments, which ultimately results in the change of the person. Pais father refuses to assume traditional leadership; instead he moves to Germany to pursue a career as an artist. The film opens with Porourangi, eldest son of Koro, the current chief, anxiously supporting his wife who is in labour. "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. It is shown that all people have their depth of sadness, yet in this sadness we can find out what truly connects us with those we love. Pai herself is interested in the leadership, learning traditional songs and dances, but is given little encouragement by her grandfather. Antonio Sison, World Cinema, Theology, and the Human: Humanity in Deep Focus, New York, Routledge, 2012. A Maori family, despite their beliefs or rituals, can be just like an American family, or any other one. They grew crops such as soybeans, apples, sorghum, and millet. Explores intrinsically linked ideas of discovery through the lens of cultural identity and heritage. The beautifully poetic style and twin narrative lends itself to the analysis of language.To automatically receive all the latest news on New Windmills, why not sign-up for our Heinemann Literature eNewsletter? Koro Pais grandfather has been waiting for the first born of the new generation who would be chief. The film gained much respect from critics, it went on in film festivals such as Sundance and Tribecca, and gained international recognition. Journeys can be both physical and emotional. A nations culture resides in the heart and soul of its people- Mahatma Gandi and this culture is kept alive by what they do. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. Analysis: The Plight Of Captive Killer Whales These animals aren't happy or healthy and keeping them in captivity is inhumane. 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. 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. Only Koro had failed to turn up; distant cries had drawn him to the beach where a pod of whales lay dying. Pai herself is interested in the leadership, learning traditional songs and dances, and Taiaha fighting a traditional stick fighting method used by the Maori men. The people from Maori have been waiting for so long that they have lost hope and flight of people. By tradition, the leader should be the first-born son a direct patrilineal descendant of Paikea, aka Kahutia Te Rangi in the book, the Whale Rider he who rode on top of a whale from Hawaiki. What does the myth of the whale rider explain to the Maori people? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Whale Rider DVD *FULL OF HOPE & WONDER* Mori + English + Eng Subs at the best online prices at eBay! 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. Furthermore, such a portrayal of a Maori tribe in their contemporary setting highlights post-colonial ambivalence in New Zealand, indicating that Maoris are not fully opposed to the hybridisation that has occurred during the colonial process. Whale Rider is about the current chief, Koro, having to accept that the tradition of the first born males becoming the next chief will have change, and the challenges he has to overcome by letting a female become leader and breaking the tradition and letting a girl be in control. The film was a coproduction between New . We will write a custom Essay on Face Negotiation Theory in the Film "Whale Rider" specifically for you. Koro insist for a male because hes stuck in this tradition that does not exist anymore. This essay has been submitted by a student. Her father, Porourangi, and Koro convinced Nanny Flowers that this was a good idea. All rights reserved. Pride can be seen in both positive and negative ways. This highlights the tensions between the traditional and the modern in Maori culture, with Koros stringent following of the tribes ancient traditions leading him to alienate his own kin, despite the fact that Pai shows more promise than any of the other boys. 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, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief.