The Whale Rider

The Whale Rider is a contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph. It brings a flood of emotions to any viewer as everyone sees a moral for themselves, perhaps different to the next. This film is a magnificent portrayal of life in a tribe based upon ancient laws and mentality. As legend has it, Kahutia-te-Rangi, ancestor of the people of Te Tai Rawhiti ("the place washed by the eastern tide"), travelled from Hawaiiki (land of …

…ends, and I'm left staring at the screen, wanting more. As a female, I felt very much in touch with Paikea and her emotions and struggle. Seeing her triumph despite hearing terrible things from her grandfather, and growing up in a community believing that a girl has no place as a leader, made me proud to be a strong female. This movie is absolutely fantastic. It brought both tears and a smile to my face.