COMM 380:  Media Criticism

Whale Rider:  Preserverance in a young woman.

by Asta Liutkute '16

Major:  Communication, Public Relations

 

The story about a young girl seeking a full approval from a family or society, so she can go on and fulfill her life, has been one of cinematography’s motives in many international movies. We may ask why the theme or the topic is so fascinating. It is about a young, developing person’s life who might be suppressed, feel left out, feel forgotten, and feel unappreciated. It is very important in today’s world - I believe - that every child gets the same and equal treatment from the family and society. It is important to not mistreat and abuse the developing young minds, so they can grow up in a different world than what we see today in some societies and cultures. No discrimination should be tolerated, no belittling because you are a girl/woman, no misconception of what a man and a woman can and should do.

 

The topic leads us to the story – “The Whale Rider.” It is about an 11 year old girl, who is raised in the Maori community in the Northern part of New Zealand. The movie was filmed and released in 2002, directed by Niki Caro, written in a collaboration of Niki Caro and Witi Ihimaera. The plot takes viewers to the family story which tragically starts with a young woman dying at childbirth. Upon her labor related death, she delivers a beautiful baby girl, and names her Paikea (later shortened to “Pai”). The young husband is in deep shock and grief, and his parents are in shock as well. The grandfather – Koro – is in shock, and does not seemingly want to acknowledge the baby girl. Koro is the leader of Whangara - is highly patriarchal small community. The society and the beliefs Koro is leading on, only believe in the young men to follow in the steps of the ancestors, and become future leaders of a small, but closely united

community. Koro and his granddaughter’s relationship do come in the first plan, as the girl’s father - Porourangi – moves to Germany to do some traveling, and nature photography. Paikea especially feels the emotional gap in between her and her grandfather Koro (community leader) when she attempts to go back to Germany with her father. She ends up not leaving, soon returns, but things are not the same. A young child, entering her teen years (11), is left out of the community leaders’ training, and is denied boat trips to the ocean to visit whales with the trainee boys. She slowly develops a strong connection with whales, secretly follows the boy’s training routine, and timidly shares that with the rest of the family.

 

Despite other dramatic events, such as being forced to move to her uncle’s house, she finds a support in relatives, as well as in her beloved grandmother, “Nanny Flowers.” Soon enough the culmination and the pressure point in the story occurs – several ailing whales are flushed ashore, and the devastated, worried community, including Koro and nanny Flowers, all try to help and rescue them back into the ocean. After all efforts fail, Paikea, alone, comes to the whales at night, chants, whispers to them, and the whales “wake up” to return to the ocean. Shockingly enough, - to her grandparents’ short realization and awakening, - she goes to the ocean with them. Once everyone is devastated in the prayer that the girl is gone, and her grandfather Koro is sobbing in grief of his stubbornness and mistakes, she reappears ashore happy and well. The movie ends with the whole family reuniting, and the authorities in the community realizing that Paikea is – indeed – the new Whangara community leader, picked by the ancestors.

 

The story seems to unfold with the older grandparents raising their granddaughter, Paikea, whose mother has tragically died during the childbirth. Even though the father was still alive and well, he was away traveling. Pai (as everyone later called her, short for “Paikea”) lived her life connecting to her grandparents, especially her granddad. Her local small community, led by her grandfather Koro, was – culturally - very patriarchal. People believed in only men as future leaders, and that is how, seemingly, the Whangara community worked for generations. They had no spot for the curious and nature loving Paikea. The child was abruptly denied access to any of the boys’ training.

 

The story unfolds as a young girl’s emotional struggle. It also unfolds as a tale of human connection to nature, to whales. However, I believe, the story is not about a young teen’s suppression on becoming an adult. That is only a part of a story. The movie and the story are more about a family relationship, union and strong, ever changing bond. The story is also about the “other world” – the ocean, and how whales represent it. The whales – to me – came of as a symbol in the story. Symbol of life, freedom, and friendship. The story was also about struggles to maintain close relationships with the ones you love and care about, emotional realizations, touching resurrections, and the changes that come as life brings curveballs around.

 

The young Pai goes on a young life journey quite alone at first. She wants to rely on her grandfather for support so badly... Yet she cannot. They seem to shift apart, and that hurts the child very badly. Her father, returning from the trips very occasionally, seems to be hurting her, and the situation more.

 

Koro is not only her grandfather figure. He is her father figure at first. He fulfills so many emotional needs to the young girl, the emotional bond is heart wrenching. Yet, Koro has a leader position in the community to fulfill. It is not an easy task for him. He needs to push away his granddaughter, and that becomes emotionally painful to watch. As a viewer, I see pain in him, and regret. He must be a leader of the community first. He must follow the “protocol” – no females in the future leaders’ training classes.

 

Therefore, the “Whale Rider”, from my understanding, is not a story of a patriarchal, diminished women’s rights, and the “old school” community. It is about family values, strong bond, and unconditional love for generations. This beautiful story is also about the (sometimes sacred) communal obstacles, traditions, and responsibilities that may come in between the loving people. It is also a daring tale of a young girl’s connection to nature, to whales.

 

“The Whale Rider” is a beautiful child and parent story that unfolded in a best way possible. The movie was about the inner beliefs, faith, spirituality, and family that comes first. Beautifully filmed with airy and stunning views of New Zealand. I really enjoyed this movie. It fulfilled its’ obligation of entertainment, and passing the positive message to the audience. The message taught the viewers of following what the heart wants, and that recognition from the loved ones, at some times, takes longer to come. The movie was very enjoyable and inspirational. The story is a great – and teaching - example that kindness, love and perseverance wins, and makes the world a better place.