The message in the film shows that anyone can be a leader if they have the confidence and belief in themselves that they can make a change, inspire and empower others people. Comprehension and discussion activities for the film whale. The beginning of the story introduces the idea that man and nature are. Other examples relating to self sacrifice can also be seen in symbolic sacrifices of the body. The whale rider study guide contains a biography of author witi. A book that has the same universal theme as the whale rider would be raelyn asked in tv shows and series what are the ratings and certificates for the making of whale rider 2003 tv. Do you think the story was more effective in the book or film. Her grandfather was the chief of their tribe in, new zealand, and trying to find. The whale rider abstract whale rider is a drama film of the 2002, based on the novel of witi ihimaera, and directed by niki caro. Despite its focus on maori culture, the themes in whale rider are universal and highlight important communication principles. The nonuse of any cgi effects is both refreshing and totally convincing, showing the unseen world that surrounds us all in a magicaly poetic way.
The whale rider the films plot follows the story of paikea apirana paiin the book, her name is kahu, short for kahutia te rangi, a 12yearold girl who is the only living child in the line of the tribes chiefly succession following the death of her twin brother and mother when she was born. Whale rider mat no 10 storyboarding read the following excerpt from the book the whale rider. Whale rider when talking about choosing the location to shoot whale rider, the films producer, john barnett says. I am always on the lookout for films with positive messages, and especially when they give kids insights to another country or culture.
The biggest whale, the founder of maori culture, has a special relationship with the whale rider, a young man who sits upon its back. Whale rider theme study expectations by grace johnson on. Whale rider is a 2002 new zealandgerman family drama film written and directed by niki caro. This knowledge of and connection to maori ancestors is a central theme in whale rider and is depicted through the myth of paikea. He wrote it in the earlier portion of his writing career, having only penned three other novels prior to it. In the introduction to the book, he explains his inspiration. The whale rider, by witi ihimaera, is rich in thematic concerns. Plenty of rich themes are found in ihimaeras the whale. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of whale rider by witi ihimaera.
I absolutely adore everything about it, and really do think theres something everyone can relate to in this story. Expectations and disappointments generational differences 5. The whale rider themes what does the director suggest about the themes of culture, leadership and expectations. Use this lesson plan to increase student comprehension for the whale rider by witi ihimaera. Niki caro based on the book by witi ihimaera prezi by. Within this contemporaryfairy tale, whale rider also entails a spiritual bond that the main character, paikea, has with a quasimystical creature. The films plot follows the story of paikea apirana pai in the book, her name is kahu, short for kahutia te rangi, a 12yearold girl who is the only living child in the line of the tribes chiefly succession following the death of her twin brother and mother when she was. We see the power of significant others to affect our self esteem, and the fact that, against strong odds, it is possible to assert ourselves and create an identity of our own. Whale rider in the movie whale rider, a girl named paikea was born. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 150 pages and is available in paperback format. First published in 1987 in new zealandthe authors homeland as well as. Setting whale rider whale rider is set in a small village called whangara, on the east coast of the north. Create your own storyboard using the template on the next page.
By tradition, the leader should be the firstborn son a. Whale rider is an internationally successful new zealand film focusing on indigenous cultural issues. The whale mothers look over their young while the single leader whalethe bull whalereminisces about his own youth so long ago, and the precious time he spent with the whale rider. Goodreads members who liked the whale rider also liked. Traditional cultural changes and development has always been one of the most popular themes in films. Much like peter weirs movie the last wave of many years ago. The film is based on the book the whale rider by witi ihimaera. Before you start, have a look at the sample frame below. Kahu is his only greatgrandchildand maori tradition has no use for a girl. The whale rider is a 1987 novel by new zealander witi ihimaera. Its a beautiful retelling of an old maori legend, and the themes are transcendent.
The novel was set in whangara and it would almost have been heresy to shoot anywhere else. It won the audience awards as the most popular film at both the toronto and sundance film festivals, played to standing ovations, left audiences in tears. This comparison is an important motif of the book, and it is the stepping stone for drawing the symbolic connection between the wandering whale herd and the maori people of. Whale rider takes place in present day new zealand, where a 12yearold girl named pai keisha castlehughes is growing up in an allmaori community. Whale rider theme study expectations by grace johnson on prezi. In the book, our narrator from the beginning is a different rawiri. Ihimaera has written quite a long list of books and short stories but the whale rider is probably his most well known due to the 2002 film of the same name. Whale rider this module has been designed to accompany the film whale rider 2003.
The films plot follows the story of paikea apirana pai in the book, her name is kahu, short for kahutia te rangi, a 12yearold girl who is the only living child in the line of the tribes chiefly succession following the death of her twin brother and mother when she was born. The module consists of teachers notes and a handout with background information that you can copy and give to your students. Religious themes in whale rider sacrificial love sacrificial love describes the action of sacrificing oneself to stop torment or suffering of another person or group of people. Through the account of the maori individuals of new zealand and their legacytraditions, the reader will be acquainted with new another socially assorted gathering of individuals. William trevors the hill bachelors is a heartbreaking book about men and women. The main characters of this fiction, young adult story are kahu. The bull whale is an ancient whale, about 65 feet long. The whale rider by witi ihimaera, jay lagaaia, audiobook. This digital cdrom study guide considers and tracks the themes of the film. The whale rider starts a thousand years ago, with a pod of whales. The role of chief is always passed onto a male, but there is no male heir, only kahu. The whale rider 2003 read online free book by witi.
Based on the novel of the same name by witi ihimaera, the film stars keisha castlehughes as kahu paikea apirana, a twelveyearold maori girl whose ambition is to become the chief of the tribe. Eightyearold kahu, a member of the maori tribe of whangara, new zealand, fights to prove her love, her leadership, and her destiny. Find books like the whale rider from the worlds largest community of readers. In whale rider, pai awakening in the hospital is an example of rebirth and resurrection. In the movie whale rider, a girl named paikea was born. The book is also a lengthy exploration of changing gender roles, and questioning the roles. If youve ever felt discriminated against because of your gender, this is the book for you. It can be seen in the bible through jesus crucifixion. While pai lives in present day whangara, new zealand with her grandparents, maori tradition maintains that the leadership should.
May 01, 2003 the whale rider is definitely in my top ten list of alltime favorite books. Ihimaera published the whale rider in 1978 to critical acclaim. Specifically, the writer is of anglosaxon descent on the side of his father and of ma ori. Her greatgrandfather is chief of the whangara, who are descendants of a legendary whale rider. Free download or read online the whale rider pdf epub book. Jun 20, 2003 whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years. The underlying themes are universal and both distressing and uplifting. The first greatgrandchild of the whanau, she was loved by all her relatives except the one whose love she needed mosther greatgrandfather.
I really felt for kahu or pai especially, and now i will look up to her as a favoured character. The movie whale rider, directed by niki caro, have many things in common with the book nervous conditions, written in 2002 by tsitsi dangarembga. The whale rider themes sacredness of nature and corruption of man a key theme of the story is the sacredness of nature. Whale rider is a magical tale of survival, stubbornness and destiny. What is the theme of the whale by witi ihimaera answers. Now available in simultaneous hardcover and paperback. It takes place in a small village of new zealand where the maori people live whale rider media ed. The first edition of the novel was published in january 1st 1987, and was written by witi ihimaera.
Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. You are in for a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with whale rider. Jan 01, 1987 the whale rider was a book i was quite drawn to, as i am a kiwi, and i love new zealand. The whale rider by witt alhambra has many important themes that are represented by several characters in the text such as koru farina, who struggles to put aside traditional values and struggles to input moored values. It would take some pretty powerful words to make something like that happen but those are exactly the kind of words that make up whale rider. Now, so many years after their separation, the nostalgia for their time spent together cuts away at the old bull whale.
February 7, 1944 is the author of the book the whale rider. Pdf the whale rider book by witi ihimaera free download. But now there is no male heir, and the aging chief is desperate to find a successor. The world premiere was on september 2002, at the toronto international film festival.
Described by metro magazine as part oracle, part memoralist, and an inspired voice, weaving many stories together, ihimaera has also written for stage and screen, edited books on the arts and culture, as well. This film is based on the book the whale rider by witi ihimaera. Watch whale rider 2002 full movie free online streaming. Can you provide an example a scene character quote symbol from the film that shows this theme.
In every generation since kahutia, a male heir has inherited the title of chief. The whale rider was a book i was quite drawn to, as i am a kiwi, and i love new zealand. The whale mothers look over their young while the single leader whale the bull whale reminisces about his own youth so long ago, and the precious time he spent with the whale rider. Her people claim descent from kahutia te rangi, the legendary whale rider. The whale rider by witi ihimaera penguin books australia. In pairs or as a group, choose one of the themes below. The whale rider is definitely in my top ten list of alltime favorite books. The movie focuses on the story of a young girl, paikea, and her grandfather, koro. Non avevo nemmeno mai sentito parlare del ben piu celebre film che ne e stato tratto nel 2002 e che ha riscosso notevole successo al botteghino. The book is interesting and the audience will without a doubt have tears and also laugher through the pages of the story. The mythical story of the whales told alongside the story of kahu discusses various important issues. When paikea rides on the back of a whale just as her ancestor had, it shows a sign of a true leader, specifically to the maori culture. Comprehension and discussion activities for the film whale rider. Students will read an informational text to summarize the book s plot and analyze key events before.
Expectations pourorangi is expected to lead the community as a wise chief pourorangi is expected to look after paikea expected to have a son who will become chief expects tradition to stay relevant expected to follow his fathers plan koro nanny flowers is expected. Its importance and possible impact on young girls will be discussed in the paper with special reference to the story of the book. Kahu, an eightyearold maori girl, adores her greatgrandfather, koro apirana, but he pays her little attention. Books similar to the whale rider meet your next favorite book. The world and its creatures are often described using religious terminology. Ancestor of the people of te tai rawhiti, he travelled from hawaiki, the place of the ancients, to the east coast of new zealand. Themes in whale rider essays free essays studymode. Sep 30, 2017 the whale rider, by witi ihimaera, is rich in thematic concerns. Read the following excerpt from the book the whale rider.
It is leading its herd in search of safer waters, but at the same time it struggles to come to terms with its deep love for the ancient whale rider, now long dead, who once had been its dearest companion. The books narrator, kahus uncle rawiri, then explains that the tribes first chief and ancestor, kahutia te rangi, who is also called paikea, came to their land on. Whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years. But when hundreds of whales beach themselves and threaten the future of the maori tribe, it is kahu who saves the tribe when she reveals that she has the whale rider s ancient gift of communicating with whales. Many elements of nature and other religions demonstrate rebirth themes. Then, use the book excerpt and translate it into single frames. There are physical things that are described in the book the sweep of the bay, the island that looks. The theme of rebirth and resurrection in this film can be seen as a christian theme symbolizing jesus rebirth after the crucifixion.
We have nanny flowers who has that everyday struggle with her husband over who gets that last say in what but nanny flowers takes peoples feeling into consideration as koru. If i was in english class, id write a long descript essay into the characters and the morals etc. The new zealand film whale rider tells the story of 12year old pai, a maori girl whose ancestor paikea was the whale rider. Her grandfather koro apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. Disregarded by her village, a maori girl trains herself in the customs of her people to prove shes the rightful heir to her grandfather as chief. Feminist themes in witi ihimaeras essay 1897 words. Can someone compare the whale rider book and movie to me i.
Whale rider is a 2002 film that was based on the book the whale rider by witi ihimaera film education. Time can also be traversed, as the old bull whale does with his herd, and as paikea does with. Plenty of rich themes are found in ihimaeras the whale rider. The whale rider study guide contains a biography of author witi ihimaera, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. These two share many common themes such as sexism, discrimination, and loss. Witi ihimaera was the first maori to publish both a book of short stories and a novel, and has published many notable novels and collections of short stories. Pais mother died during childbirth and her artist father has left new zealand.