Process Essay: Whale Rider

Process Essay: Whale Rider

Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro is a movie strictly based on tradition, belief and culture. But what happens to the Maori tribe when the chief's heir passes at birth? Will tradition be broken in order to implement change that is strongly needed? The Maori Mythology comes to play in the works of a bright, spunky twelve year old girl named Paikea Apiran, Pai for short. It is obvious that Pai binds the tradition together but Koro, her grandfather, also known as the leader of the tribe fails to accept the fact that Pai maybe the chosen. For generations and generations, the past chiefs have always been male, so it is demanded and expected for it that the next chief also be male regardless of the circumstances. Pai attempts to gain her grandfather's love and keep the tradition alive through the process of becoming leader.

Legend has it that the original Paikea rode bare back on a whale and guided his people to New Zealand. Porourangi, Pai's dad, named her after the one and only Paikea. Once he told Koro, Koro immediately said, "No. Not that name" due to the fact that, that name carries great importance behind it but to him she was nothing but a "worthless" girl. Porourangi still grieving after the lost of his wife and son left Pai in her grandparent's care so she can be raised by them. Though Koro doesn't accept Pai at first, Pai's grandmother Flowers, does. Despite of everything going on, she sees a little girl who is in need of desperate love. Koro learns to love Pai, carrying her to school every day on his bike. Twelve years later, Porourangi who is now a famous artist, decides to come back home. Koro hopes everything will change and that maybe his son will finally accept his destiny. However, little did Koro know that his son had other plans in stored for him. Plans that doesn't involve Porourangi becoming the next chief. Porourangi believes he has no purpose on becoming a chief because he too drifted from the land, emotionally and physically. After a long discreet argument with Koro, Porourangi decides to take off insisting to bring his daughter along. Paikea goes off with her father but returning immediately to the village because she felt that her grandfather needs her which in this case is the complete opposite.

In the movie, Paikea said, "There was no gladness when I was born. My twin brother died, and took our mother with him." Ever since then Paikea's grandfather resented Pai for all the wrong reasons. Koro also said it was because of Paikea their life has gone wrong. The thing is, Koro has an altitudinous outlook for the local community and is under great stress and pressure when he sees that there won't be a son or an heir to resume as Chief. Even though he "loves" Pai, he will not permit himself to perceive her possible role as a leader because she is a girl. Koro settles into creating a cultural school for the boys in the village, in great anticipation that he'll find a new leader. Without a doubt Koro is in great hope that after an exhausting, difficult practice of teaching the tribal lore, ancient chants and warrior techniques, eyes will finally open and everybody will see who the new leader is. Pai tries to become a student but she isn't allowed. The reason being is because Koro is teaching the boys to use a taiaha which are boys fighting with sticks and it is traditionally kept for males. It is becoming quite noticeable to each person except her grandfather