Whale Rider

An extremely accomplished drama set in rural New Zealand,' Whale Rider' follows Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), an 11-year-old girl born into the linage of tribal chiefs. Her twin brother and mother died at her birth and despite the obvious love that her grandfather Koro (Rawiri Paratene) has for the wilful Pai, it's obvious that he would have preferred a boy to continue on the traditions. Pai's largely absent father (Cliff Curtis) has rejected the ways of his people, further alienating Koro and leaves Pai determined to appease her grandfather's staunch tribalism.

'Whale Rider' may appear to be a standard addition to the coming of age genre, but this is a richly emotional piece of work, and a film which examines the cultural annihilation of a race of people pitched against the encroaching tide of modernisation. The performances are something special too. Although she was only 11 years of age when the movie was made, Castle-Hughes displays real presence, demonstrating a range and maturity that most actors twice her age would find difficult to duplicate. Her main foil is the emotional sterile Koro, a man whose desperation for a new leader is easier to understand when you see the lethargy which has enveloped most of the village's youngsters. Certainly not as dark as 'Once Were Warriors' (1993), 'Whale Rider' manages to paint just as an effective portrait of an ancient culture in danger of permanent erosion.