In a remote coastal village on the east coast of New Zealand, there lives a people who trace their ancestry back to Paikea – the legendary ancestor who, according to tradition, reached the country on the back of a whale. For over a thousand years, the leadership role within the tribe has been taken over by male firstborns. However, when the hoped-for male successor dies during childbirth and only his twin sister survives, the tradition-conscious tribal leader Koro is unable to recognize his granddaughter Paikea as the future leader. Niki Caro's WHALE RIDER, based on the novel by Witi Ihimaera, is the moving story of a young girl battling against deeply ingrained patriarchal traditions. Twelve-year-old Paikea, or Pai, feels called to take on the role of chief. Despite her grandfather's disapproval, she secretly begins to learn the traditional skills required of a leader. Her determination and courage ultimately put to the test not only the beliefs of her grandfather, but also those of the entire tribe. The film premiered at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People's Choice Award. It went on to win the World Cinema Audience Award at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and the Canal+ Audience Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Keisha Castle-Hughes, who plays the lead role, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2004, making her the youngest nominee in this category at the time. WHALE RIDER also won the BAFTA Children's Award for Best Live Action Film and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.
Kids & Family
1h 41min
6 FSK
DE
EN
In this drama, which has won over 30 awards and been nominated for an Oscar, a young Māori woman fights for her freedom.
In a remote coastal village on the east coast of New Zealand, there lives a people who trace their ancestry back to Paikea – the legendary ancestor who, according to tradition, reached the country on the back of a whale. For over a thousand years, the leadership role within the tribe has been taken over by male firstborns. However, when the hoped-for male successor dies during childbirth and only his twin sister survives, the tradition-conscious tribal leader Koro is unable to recognize his granddaughter Paikea as the future leader.
Niki Caro's WHALE RIDER, based on the novel by Witi Ihimaera, is the moving story of a young girl battling against deeply ingrained patriarchal traditions. Twelve-year-old Paikea, or Pai, feels called to take on the role of chief. Despite her grandfather's disapproval, she secretly begins to learn the traditional skills required of a leader. Her determination and courage ultimately put to the test not only the beliefs of her grandfather, but also those of the entire tribe.
The film premiered at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People's Choice Award. It went on to win the World Cinema Audience Award at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and the Canal+ Audience Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Keisha Castle-Hughes, who plays the lead role, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2004, making her the youngest nominee in this category at the time. WHALE RIDER also won the BAFTA Children's Award for Best Live Action Film and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.