The Movie Fanatic

Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is everything his grandfather Koro (Rawiri Paratane) despises for a grandchild. He considers her a jinx, having survived a difficult delivery which claimed the lives of her twin brother and her mother. Now that her grief-stricken father Porourangi (Cliff Curtis) leaves New Zealand for Europe to pursue his artistic vocation, Koro is even more devastated that no son of his would replace him as Chief.

Embittered and hard on everyone especially Pai, Koro seeks consolation in the knowledge that he can bequeath his title to other boys in the village. He begins training them in the ancient ways of the Maori, who are believed to be descendants of the Whale-God Paikea. When Pai interferes with the training by wanting to be one of Koro's pupils she earns the chastisement of Koro. Pai has no one to turn to but her grandmother Flowers (Vicky Haughton) who believes in her unique talent, intelligence and strong will.

Together they defy the old man Koro and strengthen each other's resolve to prove him wrong that to be a leader one must be male and chosen by the Chief.
themselvesOne day, when hordes of whales unexplainably beached and are unable to go back to the sea, they risk dying. Townspeople gathered together to dig around them and prevent them

from being dehydrated but to no avail. Now it's Pai's turn to do the unimaginable, a sacrifice to prove that she too can become a leader her grandfather does not expect her to be.

With heart-rending scenes, haunting music and outstanding acting that earned for Keisha an Oscar nomination and other international awards, Whale Rider is sure to captivate one's heart and imagination. It is a triumphant story of redemption over expectation and rejection. It provides interesting insight into how we often see and regard women as the weaker sex. This movie will challenge the male stereotype and will make us believe that there is no greater power than love, bravery and determination whether you are