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Whale Rider (2002)
7.6
Ratings: 7.6/10 from 25,318 users
Metascore:
79/100
Reviews: 339 user | 147 critic | 31 from Metacritic.com A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Director:Niki Caro |
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101 min - 
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Nominated for Oscar.
Another
29 wins
&
28 nominations
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Keisha Castle-Hughes | ... | ||
| Rawiri Paratene | ... | ||
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Vicky Haughton | ... |
Nanny Flowers
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| Cliff Curtis | ... | ||
| Grant Roa | ... |
Uncle Rawiri
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Mana Taumaunu | ... |
Hemi
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Rachel House | ... |
Shilo
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Taungaroa Emile | ... |
Willie
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Tammy Davis | ... |
Dog
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Mabel Wharekawa | ... |
Maka
(as Mabel Wharekawa-Burt)
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Rawinia Clarke | ... |
Miro
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Tahei Simpson | ... |
Miss Parata
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Roi Taimana | ... |
Hemi's Dad
(as Roimata Taimana)
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Elizabeth Skeen | ... |
Rehua
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Tyronne White | ... |
Jake
(as Tyrone White)
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Storyline
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. Written by berkeley
Plot Summary | Plot SynopsisTaglines:
One young girl dared to confront the past, change the present and determine the future See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for brief language and a momentary drug reference See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Release Date:
(USA) See more »Also Known As:
Te kaieke tohora See more »Filming Locations:
Henderson Valley Studios, Hickory Avenue, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand See more »Box Office
Budget:
NZD 6,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$137,418 (USA) (8 June 2003) (9 Screens)Gross:
$41,442,113 (Worldwide)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information on
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Paikea: In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting. Waiting to be filled up. Waiting for someone to love it. Waiting for a leader.
[child birth scene]
Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. A man to lead a new people. Our ancestor, Paikea. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. For the boy who would be chief.
Paikea: There was no gladness when I was born. My twin brother died, and took our mother with him.
See more »
Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns
From Te Ku Te Whe
Courtesy of Rattle Records See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Much of the film is about Paikea doing traditional Maori things which women were not supposed to do (e.g. sitting in the canoe, fighting). The film cast and crew performed special Maori chants in order to ward off traditional bad luck that might arise from Keisha Castle-Hughes doing the things as part of the film. See more »Goofs
Continuity: The father and grandfather are arguing after the slide show, and the father goes to pull down the white sheet that was hung over some drapes to act as a screen. He pulls it down, along with the rod and orange drapes that the sheet was hanging from. Moments later, the drapes are back up in place and hanging perfectly straight, and there wasn't enough time for him to re-hang the drapes. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Paikea: In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting. Waiting to be filled up. Waiting for someone to love it. Waiting for a leader.
[child birth scene]
Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. A man to lead a new people. Our ancestor, Paikea. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. For the boy who would be chief.
Paikea: There was no gladness when I was born. My twin brother died, and took our mother with him.
See more »
Crazy Credits
Made by New Zealand See more »Soundtracks
"Voice / Percussion Loop"Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns
From Te Ku Te Whe
Courtesy of Rattle Records See more »
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