the whale rider [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: Another film I had to see the minute it opened. This year, I have not been disappointed in any of the films I have made a "date" with on its opening night . "Whale Rider" was such a powerful, simple story. The story takes place in a small village on the beautiful coast of New Zealand. It centers on the Maori tribe as the current Chief is patiently awaiting the birth of the tribes new leader, his Grandson. Twins are born, but the boy and his mother die, leaving the Chief without his heir and his son grief stricken at the loss of his wife. The son names his daughter Paikea, after the first descendant of the Maori tribe and against the wish of his father, the current Chief.

The story then focuses on the girl's love for her Grandfather and the Grandfather's grief about the future of the tribe. He begins to train all the boys of the village to find his new leader. Pai is left out of all ritual trainings since she is a girl. She finds other ways to learn the ways of the Maori tribe but none matters to her Grandfather because he cannot see past her gender. The story is never lost in side twist and turns. It moves along slowly but you never fall out of its trance. Keisha Castle-Hughes (Pai) grabs you with her eyes that continually say more than the words she speaks. Her emotional tribal singing can be felt inside as you wonder to yourself, would I have been as brave as her?

The story angers you and tears at you. It makes you cheer. It is more than a "girl power" film. It is feminism, leadership, self-belief, reliance, family, change, and much more. I can't think of a better role model and story for today's young girls to follow. To help them see the leader inside of themselves. To let ALL children know that their voice is never small and that they can make a difference in their world. Because I am always hoping to find meaning in the storyline, because I am always hoping more time is spent on characters and words instead of special-effects, because I found what I was looking for on Friday night, I cannot give this film anything less than an A.

recommendation: own this one and share it with future generations.