Whale Rider (2003)
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.
Directing:
Writing:
Stars:
- Niki Caro
Writing:
- Witi Ihimaera
- Niki Caro
- Joan Scheckel
Stars:
Release Date: 2003-01-30
7.1/10
- Country: DE, NZ
- Language: English
- Runtime: 101
- Budget: $8,000,000
- Revenue: $41,400,000