Niki Caro's best feature film of 2002 Whale Rider is set in present-day New Zealand, where a 12-year-old girl named Paikea (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is raising a all Maori community. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Maori, the native Polynesians of New Zealand, descend from Paikea, the courageous leader who escaped death on the back of a whale to lead them and restore their tradition. In each generation for more than a thousand years, only one male heir can succeed to the title of Chiefdom. Unfortunately for Paikea, both her mother and twin brother died during childbirth, leaving ancient ways shattered, without male heirs, there would be no hope for future generations. At age 12, her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and uncle Rawiri (Grant Roa) help Paikea in her attempt to reclaim her birthright. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear to Paikea that he would have to do the impossible; win against his old grandfather Koro (Rawiri Paratene), whose attitude blinds him to Paikea's potential as a successor. It is only when a catastrophe strikes that Paikea is able to demonstrate to his grandfather that the village's connection to the spiritual world of the Maori continues to survive. In the small village of Whangara, just off the coast of New Zealand's North Island, Whale Rider is set in modern times with many references linking it to the late 1970s and early 1980s. Despite being small, Whangara is home to the Maori, a close-knit community that prides itself on respect, passion and believes strongly in their ancestral ways. It is believed that the Maori are descendants of the Polynesian people, saved by the courageous leader Paikea. Their tradition plays a vital role in the film, with many of the storylines and conflicts surrounding the traditions manifesting themselves differently in each of the unique characters. This can be seen in different generations, for example, the eldest of the bloodline, Koro, who is still steadfast in traditional Maori cultural beliefs and practices. This proof is not only visible through the way he communicates with Paikea, but more importantly through his character. One of the main themes explored by Whale Rider is how modern settlements have disturbed not only Maori traditions, but also how they have caused communal problems within the community. From the beginning of the film, when Porourangi (Cliff Curtis) leaves the village for the first time after the death of his wife and newborn baby, the people of Whangara are depicted as a generation that has abandoned their cultural paths. This is further supported by Porourangi's brother Rawiri, Paikea's uncle. Rawiri and his companions can be seen lounging, drinking and using some kind of illicit substance, behavior unknown to tradition. The Maori lived off the land, hunting, growing food and contributing to their history through traditional songs and arts. Despite their strong fellowship, high level of respect and passion for their culture, Whale Rider portrays the community as having many social problems that create an image of a culture broken by the modern era. Through myth and legend, Whale Rider uses narrative structure in many forms to better describe Paikea's history. It is primarily used to tie the plot together through a number of techniques including point of view. Caro uses point of view in a very powerful way, especially through Paikea's narrations which combine with the music and the atmosphere of the film, sometimes sad, anxious orinspiration, creates a strong connection between Paikea and its audience. In the case of Paikea becoming the future leader of her people, changing the point of view enhances the effect of showing the characters' different feelings towards the situation. Although Paikea is generally always the focus of a scene, Caro incorporated many scenes into the film. that Paikea is not present, allowing other characters to share their opinions and background information that the audience may not have previously been aware of, thus adding context to the film, for example the emotional discussion between Porouragni and his father after returning to home from Germany. The changes add dimension to the story and focus on the points of view of all the main characters, bringing the plot to life. The use of soundtracks and camera angles was another reason for the film's success. At one point in the film, Paikea's father comes home and asks her if she would like to return to Germany with him. After careful consideration, Paikea accepts the invitation and the film cuts to a clip of them driving in Porourangi's car. It is at this moment that the cameras are facing the ocean and ethereal music begins to play. This combination of mysterious music and focus on the ocean shows the audience the strong spiritual connection Paikea has with Taniwah, the mythological whale that the ancestral Paikea rode to Whangara over a thousand years ago. Caro further emphasizes Paikea's spiritual connection to the ancients through symbolism. Paikea is portrayed as a very interested and determined young girl. In one of the film's first opening scenes, Paikea approaches his grandfather while he is working on a boat engine. Using a piece of string, explain to Paikea how each string is like its ancestors. Everyone plays their role and together they are strong. This is when Koro tries to start the engine but the rope breaks, symbolizing the broken community and how it is slowly falling apart. It is only when Paikea secures the rope and starts the engine that we, as the audience, see that the rope symbolizes the ancestral line of the Maori community, with Paikea being the missing thread. Another example where the rope is used as symbolism is after Paikea invited the ancients and they responded. Taniwah was one of many whales that stranded the following morning. On behalf of Koro, his son Rawiri ordered the village to return Taniwah to the water. They used a tractor and rope but, because Paikea was a girl, she was not allowed to help, resulting in the rope breaking once again. It is only later in the film that Paikea talks to Taniwah and saves the rest of the whales. This once again demonstrates how the rope symbolizes unity between the community and how Paikea is the missing thread that unites the community. The film focuses on the dynamic relationship between Paikea and his grandfather Koro. From the beginning of the film Koro is primarily concerned with the continuation of the royal bloodline through the arrival of a grandson: Maori tradition allows only male successors. When only his granddaughter survives, he is not only bitter towards her, but also worried about remedying the situation for the good of his people. Despite being rejected by her grandfather Koro, Paikea's grandmother Nanny Flowers (Vicky Haughton) objected to her ways. , forcing him to accept her as his granddaughter, "She is of your royal blood," Flowers argued. While the setting of Whale Rider is very important to the film's narrative, one of the key themes explored by Caro is the changing role of women in real life. a modern society. Still strongly attached to the old ways, Koro and other members of the older generation act in an attempt to fill the leadership void. A formal search for the.