Whale Rider

– On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thou..

Type:
Movie
Rating:
7.60 / 10
Duration:
One Hour and 41 Minutes
Release Year:
2002
Whale Rider (2002)

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.

Whale Rider (2002) - Trailer

Release Date:

29 Aug 2003

Language:

English, Maori

MPAA Content-Rating:
PG-13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.

Director:

Niki Caro

Writer:

Niki Caro, Witi Ihimaera (book)

Main Actors:

Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis

Plot:

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.

Awards:

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 33 wins & 34 nominations.

Gross profit:

$20,661,128

Production:

Palm Pictures

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes:
91%
Metacritic:
80%