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Whale Rider

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7.1/10 • 412

2003-01-301h 41m

DramaFamily

In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.

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.

Directors
Niki Caro
Editors
David Coulson

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Keisha Castle-Hughes

    Keisha Castle-Hughes

    Paikea Apirana

  2. Rawiri Paratene

    Rawiri Paratene

    Koro

  3. Vicky Haughton

    Vicky Haughton

    Nanny Flowers

  4. Cliff Curtis

    Cliff Curtis

    Porourangi

  5. Grant Roa

    Grant Roa

    Uncle Rawiri

  6. Mana Taumaunu

    Mana Taumaunu

    Hemi

  7. Rachel House

    Rachel House

    Shilo

  8. Taungaroa Emile

    Taungaroa Emile

    Willie

  9. Tammy Davis

    Tammy Davis

    Dog

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$8,000,000.00
Revenue
$41,400,000.00
Keywords
divingbecoming an adultgrandparent grandchild relationshiptraditionloss of loved oneoceanwhaleempowermentnew zealandmaori traditionchiefmodern societycanoepatriarchstick fightingpatriarchymagic realismwoman directorswimming underwaterwar dancetraditional dance