Charity's Place

WHALE RIDER

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: brief crude language

Rated:

A film that moves at a measured pace but is nevertheless touching, Wale Rider gained the praise of critics worldwide and earned its thirteen year old star an Oscar nomination. Paikea (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is the youngest in a long line of chiefs. She was born into a family torn with tragedy. Her mother and twin brother died while she survived. Her grandfather Koro (Rawiri Paratene) is ashamed that the family line has been broken, but over the years grows to love her as his own. Her father has left the tribe and gone abroad, rarely returning for more than a few days at a time. Koro wants him to remarry and produce a male heir, but his doubts are increasing as to whether her father wishes anything to do with his people and their heritage.

Many years before, the founder of their tribe came to the islands on the back of a wale. Since that day the boys have been trained in the way of chiefs. Knowing he must choose a successor from among the children, Koro opens a school to instruct them in ancient warfare. Paikea yearns to prove herself and learn the ancient arts but is prevented from attendance because she is a girl. Instead she seeks instruction in secret from her uncle, who is all too eager to flout old customs. She is much stronger, faster, and more courageous than the boys, but this makes Koro even more ashamed of her. He blames her for bringing misfortune to the tribe, for she has ignored the sacred practices. All Paikea wants to do is make her grandfather love her. But this may be beyond her reach... or will Koro's weathered heart be softened?

A movie that is more heart than action scenes, the story is touching because it boils down to a girl's desire to earn her grandfather's respect. It's not so much a story of female empowerment as it is learning that you cannot make someone love you. In this respect the story was extremely well written. Although we are angry with Koro for his chauvinistic prejudice, we are also touched by the passion he places into the boys' learning. We feel disappointment with him when they fail their tasks. More than that, we weep with Paikea when he fails to attend her school concert and listen to the tribute she wrote just for him. Emotions run very high through the entire thing, but not in such a way as to be overt or patronizing. The acting is very well done and it's an interesting look into the culture of an Australian tribe. At least -- I presume it was Australian. The primary flaw in the script is that they never tell us where the story is set.

There is very little by way of objectionable content. The tribe is secular and chant and pray to their gods on numerous occasions. They believe in speaking with whales. Paikea blames herself when whales beach themselves. There are a few mild profanities. Koro warns the tribal boys that unless the chant is learned properly, their testicles will drop off. He uses crude slang to reference it several times. Paikea's father, we learn, is living with a woman in Germany. They are expecting their first child. Koro expresses displeasure not for his immorality, but for refusing to bring her back to the tribe so that her son might be the future chief. A heavy strain of chauvinism runs through the film. Other than that, it's an interesting watch that will appeal to those with an interest in various cultures throughout the world.