Whale rider [videorecording (DVD)] / a Newmarket Films release ; South Pacific Pictures, Apollomedia, Pandora Film in association with The New Zealand Film Production Fund, New Zealand Film Commission, and NZ on Air and sponsored by Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen GmbH ; producers, Tim Sanders, John Barnett, Frank Hübner ; written & directed by Niki Caro.
DVD. Originally released as a motion picture in 2002. Based on the book by Witi Ihimaera. Special features: director's commentary; "Te waka: building the canoe" featurette; deleted scenes, soundtrack showcase, art gallery, theatrical trailer. Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis, Grant Roa, Mana Taumaunu, Rachel House.
Summary:
The Whangara people believe their ancestor Paikea was saved from drowning by riding home on the back of a whale. The tribal group has since granted leadership positions to the first-born males, believing them to be descendants of Paikea. But then a young mother dies in childbirth along with her newborn male son. His twin sister survives and the little girl, Pai, is brought up by her grandparents. Learning the skills of chiefdom from her uncle, Pai shows that she possesses a natural leadership ability.
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