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Whale Rider

Whale Rider

In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.

20037.11h 41m

Overview

A contemporary story of love, rejection, and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.

Directed by Niki Caro
Written by Niki Caro, Witi Ihimaera, Gavin Strawhan
Produced by Tim Sanders, Frank Hübner, John Barnett
Box OfficeBudget: $8.0MRevenue: $41.4M

Top Cast

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Paikea Apirana

Rawiri Paratene

Rawiri Paratene

Koro

Vicky Haughton

Vicky Haughton

Nanny Flowers

Cliff Curtis

Cliff Curtis

Porourangi

Grant Roa

Grant Roa

Uncle Rawiri

M

Mana Taumaunu

Hemi

Rachel House

Rachel House

Shilo

Taungaroa Emile

Taungaroa Emile

Willie

Tammy Davis

Tammy Davis

Dog

M

Mabel Wharekawa

Maka

Themes & Keywords

divingbecoming an adultgrandparent grandchild relationshiptraditionloss of loved oneoceanwhaleempowermentnew zealandmaori traditionchiefmodern societycanoepatriarchstick fightingpatriarchymagic realismwoman directorswimming underwaterwar dancetraditional dance

About Whale Rider

Whale Rider is a drama, family film released in 2003 exploring themes of diving, becoming an adult, grandparent grandchild relationship, tradition, loss of loved one, ocean. Directed by Niki Caro, it stars Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton. A contemporary story of love, rejection, and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.

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