Union-PSCE, Charlotte Theology and Professor Pamela Mitchell-Legg No Juarez, Spring 2010

Faith Review of Film 3

Film Title :

Year : 2002

Director :

(Based on the book The Whale Rider by )

Original release form : Theaters

Current Availability and Formats : DVD

Genre : Drama, Family

Story Elements:

Cast:

Keisha Castle-Hughes …………………. Paikea Apirana

Rawirei Paratene ………………………..Koro Apirana

Vicky Haughton ……………………… Nanny Flowers

Cliff Curtis……………………………….Porourangi

Grant Roa ……………………………….Uncle Rawiri

Mana Taumaunu ………………………. Hemi

Rachel House ………………………….. Shilo

Taungaroa Emile ……………………….Willie

Tammy Davis ………………………… Dog

Plot Summary:

Whale Rider is the story of young the girl Paikea, the newest descendant of the native community called Maori in . This community struggles to find its place between their traditions and modernity. Paikea is the survivor of twins. Her brother and mother died the day Paikea was born. The grandfather Koro, the leader of Maori community was hoping for the baby boy to survive in order to make him the new leader of the community but only the girl survived. When the father of Paikea realizes that Koro rejects his granddaughter decides to migrate to Germany leaving her daughter Paikea.

Meanwhile, Paikea faces rejection, but finds strength and comfort with her grandmother and searches her place in the community.

In order to conserve the traditions of their ancestors, Koro decides to start a school for the boys. Paikea is convinced that she can also learn with the boys of the community but the grandfather does not allow her to be in the school. But soon, with the help of her uncle, Paikea learns all the skills and stories of her ancestors and wins a regional speech contest at her school. In one of the most moving scenes, Paikea dedicates to her grandfather a great speech that summarizes the essence of Maori community:

“This speech is a token of my deep love and respect for my grandfather Koro

Apirama. My name is Paikea Apirama and I come from a long line of chiefs,

stretching all the way back to Hawaiki, where our ancient ones are, the ones that

first heard the land crying and sent a man. His name was also Paikea and I am his

most recent descendant. But I was not the leader my grandfather was expecting

and being born I broke the line back to the ancient ones. It was not anybody’s fault, it just happened. But we can learn. And if the knowledge is given to

everyone, we can have lots of leaders. And soon everyone will be strong, not just

the ones that have been chosen. Because sometimes, even if you are the leader

and you need to be strong you can get tired. Like our ancestor, Paikea, when he

was lost at sea and he could not find the land, and he probably wanted to die. But

he knew the ancient ones were there for him. So he called out to them to lift up

and give him strength, this is the chant, I dedicate to my grandfather….”

The movie ends when the community recognizes the young Paikea as their new leader and now the community is more vigorous and stronger than ever. Now, the community is more united and is traveling together in a new boat ready to face the challenges of modernity and future.

Film Language Elements:

Traditional Chanting Poetry, Maori Music and Maori language combined with English are the main ways the producers portray the story. There are also lots of symbolisms, metaphors and imagery used by the producers. For example, the whales that were dying in the coast might represent the risk of the Maori community in the modern world. In one of the scenes Koro tells Paikea stories about their ancestors by using a rope that is tight together but it breaks, but Paikea ties the rope back.

Audience/Cultural Context Elements:

The movie seems to seek a wide audience of children and adults who are trying to seek their identity, and find their place in the world. The movie is perhaps addressed to those traditional and native communities that are trying to survive in the midst of a globalized and modern society. In that sense, Whale Rider honors all the communities who are seeking their place in modernity.

Theology is found:

Faith traditions and modernity are always in constant dialogue in our Christian journey.

As in the image of the parable of old wine and new wine that Jesus presents in the

Gospels, the movie Whale Rider invites us to reflect about our identity that embraces the old and the new. The Movie seems also to encourage the viewers to reflect how the Old

Testament traditions are in constant dialogue with the New Covenant of Jesus Christ in the Bible. The young girl Paikea could be a Christ- Figure character that could invites us to see how we can combine the story of our ancestors and at the same time, go forward to embrace modernity and the future with hope.

Theological Themes for Conversation:

Community of Believers : How do communities survive? Where do communities find comfort and hope?

Dialogue between Tradition and Modernity : Can we just forget our traditions and move on with the promises of modernity? Or is it possible to maintain a healthy conversation between our traditions and the new possibilities or our present times? i.e. The Old and new wine image. Is there a place to combine traditional and contemporary ways to worship God?

Paikea the Christ-figure: How does Paikea overcome the challenges? How does Paikea maintain her traditions for the sake of the community, and at the same time, being opened to new possibilities? Are there any similarities between Jesus’ ministry and Paikea?

Suggested type of conversation:

- What are the traditions of the Maori Community?

- What are the struggles of the community and Paikea?

- How does Paikea overcome those challenges and

- How does Paikea lead her community to the new possibilities?

- Lessons for our churches and communities in general

Recommended ways to view and engage the film:

The movie can be use in adult Sunday school classes and Youth. It is strongly recommended to watch the whole movie beforehand and then, watch as a group the scene with the speech of Paikea together and have a discussion on identity.

Concluding or summary remarks:

When I was watching the movie, I was thinking about my Peruvian Quechua Indian heritage I belong. The movie inspires me to take courage to have a lot of strength and hope. It invites me to reflect in the idea that even though there are a lot of challenges for our Quechua Communities in the high lands of South America, there is always going be

‘Paikeas’ that are going to lead brilliantly the communities into the future with hope.