There are a lot of wonderful things about the New Zealand film Whale Rider, and the best of those things is the performance from newcomer Keisha Castle-Hughes.
Whale Rider is a contemporary fable about Maori legend and a coming-of-age story about a brave adolescent girl, Pai (Castle-Hughes). Narrating the story of her own birth, Pai, now aged 12, tells of how she survived but her long-awaited twin brother, the first-born male and all that, died at birth.
As did their mother.
Named 'Paikea' after a founding ancestor, Pai is raised by her grandparents. Her stern grandfather (Rawiri Paratene) is chief of the village, and his influence has kept Pai interested in Maori legend and tradition. But as a female, she is not allowed to take any leading part in ancestral traditions. Her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) nonetheless supports her ambitions.
When her grandfather decides to educate the boys of the village in the ways of the proud past, Pai is excluded. This does not prevent her from hanging about, eavesdropping and learning it all, however.
Pai appears to have a special relationship with nature, the very thing her grandfather is looking for in a new leader. When the time (and the whales) come, Pai proves to her grandfather that she is ready to lead.
An old genealogical legend of the Ngati Konohi -- a people of the East Coast of New Zealand -- says that their founding father arrived on the back of a whale in the 8th century, landing in the place that became the village of Whangara, where Whale Rider is set.
Witi Ihimaera is the novelist who transformed the story of the Paikea whale legend, and the film is based on his book. Whale Rider is about destiny, leadership and culture, and it is also very much concerned with the lives of children. The story is full of magic, including the magic of nature, family and everyday life.
Visually enchanting, Whale Rider is an engrossing story brought to life through very strong performances. It is a charming film, and has, not surprisingly, won People's Choice (audience) awards at the Toronto Film Festival and at Sundance, San Francisco and Rotterdam.
(This film is rated PG)
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