Topic: Sarah's Labors
Whale Rider
By Sarah
?There was no happiness when I was born,? states Pai, the main character in the movie Whale Rider, a beautiful film about the Maori people of New Zealand. The movie opens with the birth of twins to Pourourangi and his wife. Pourourangi is next in line to rule the Maori people, although he is indifferent to his role. All hope then for a new leader is pinned on the birth of his children. Sadly tragedy strikes when soon after the birth, Pourourangi?s wife and son die, leaving only Pourourangi and his infant daughter. Pourourangi, unable to cope with his grief, leaves New Zealand, but first he names his daughter Pai after Paikea the whale rider. Paikea is said to have lead the Maori to New Zealand on the backs of whales thousands of years ago.
We are then introduced to Pourourangi?s father and the chief, Koro Apirana. Koro is angered by his grandchild?s name, which he considers an insult, and the fact that she is a girl. Before the birth of his granddaughter, Koro had convinced himself that his grandchild would be a prophet, a whale rider like Paikea who would lead the Maori out of their steady decline. However her gender alone led Koro to believe that he would be the last tribal leader of his line.
As the movie moves forward, Pai is ten years old and is being raised by Koro and his wife. Koro has not accepted Pai as his heir but has grudgingly included her as part of the family. Pai is a sad, intelligent girl who is extremely interested in her culture. She desperately wants her grandfather to notice her. Pai is constantly doing things to gain Koro?s trust and love only to be admonished for messing things up. Koro?s refusal to pay her any attention is too much for Pai. On Pourourangi?s next visit Pai is decides to go back to Germany with him, though she returns without having ever left the island. When Pai comes back she finds Koro even more stiff and distant then before. In the short time that Pai was gone, Koro realizes that he is getting older, and renews his zeal to find an heir. Since Pourourangi is gone Koro decides to set up a school for the boys of the tribe; to teach them their ancient ways. Secretly Pai listens in on the lessons which consist of chants, legends and the handling of ancient weapons. Pai is caught multiple times but she keeps coming back no matter how angry Koro is. Regardless of what happens Pai is calm and defiant, convinced that this is what she is meant to do. She is determined to gain her grandfather?s respect and love.
Through Pai?s search for acceptance she becomes a role model to all; helping people of the tribe with their own problems. Pai?s enthusiasm and love for her ancient culture leads the people to embrace their Maori heritage which they had been putting aside for more twenty-first century values.
Whale Rider is an amazing movie because it is not just a story of Pai?s love for her grandfather but also the story of the needs and struggles of the entire tribe. Though Whale Rider leaves you feeling good it is not a cheesy, happy-go-lucky movie with the good guy living happily ever after. Despite the fact that the movie is part fantasy all the struggles are extremely real even when the movie dips into the imaginary.