101 minutes
Whale Rider (2003)
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
How has Whale Rider impacted you?
Cast
Paikea Apirana
Keisha Castle-Hughes
Koro
Rawiri Paratene
Nanny Flowers
Vicky Haughton
Porourangi
Cliff Curtis
Uncle Rawiri
Grant Roa
Hemi
Mana Taumaunu
Show all
More about Whale Rider
Languages
English, Maori
Release date
30 January 2003
Directors
Niki Caro
Genres
Drama, Family
TMDB Rating
7.1
Runtime
101 mins
Whale Rider is a Drama film directed by Niki Caro and starring Keisha Castle-Hughes and Rawiri Paratene. It has a runtime of 101 minutes and a high TMDB audience rating of 7.1 from 389 votes.
Impact Films Supported by good.film
Find what to watch
Explore every streaming service to find shows & films about causes you care about based on genres you like and where you watch.
Discover now
