WHALE RIDER

Niki Caro, New Zealand, 2002, Shout! Factory, Arthouse

“So many films by and about teenagers are mired in vulgarity and stupidity; this one, like its heroine, dares to dream.”
— Roger Ebert

The coming-of-age arthouse smash hit from director Niki Caro (MULAN)!

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 first-born males, believing them to be Paikea descendants. The village is in crisis when the leadership heir dies at birth, survived only by twin sister Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes). Shunned by her village, Pai summons the strength to challenge centuries of tradition to fulfill her destiny. An early-2000s arthouse smash hit from director Niki Caro (MULAN), WHALE RIDER won Toronto International Film Festival’s World Cinema audience award before enrapturing worldwide audiences and garnering preteen lead Castle-Hughes an Oscar nod for Best Actress.

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Details

  • 101 min.
  • Color
  • 2.35:1

Formats

  • DCP

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