Whale Rider

[Seraphim]

I have to see it,
if only for the music:
Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance) wrote it...!

[Filmfan-2]

An astounding movie!

Did you know that that was the lead girls first ever acting role? That bit when she's standing on the stage sobbing is breathtaking and there are trained actors who wouldn't be up to that.

Uplifting with some gorgeous imagery. A must see! 8)

[Seraphim]

Has anybody got something to say about the music in this film?

It's made by my favourite artist: the highly appraised Lisa Gerrard (Gladiator, Ali...)!

Former member of my all-time favourite band, Australian cult ensemble Dead Can Dance!!!

I've got to have this soundtrack (and see the film also)!

[MacGuffin]

Call this a victim over overhype for me. After hearing reading all the praise, I was expecting to be moved...but I wasn't. It was a fine film, but I just didn't connect with it or the characters. And some of the scenes seemed like 'devices' to move the plot along (they just happen to be in the same spot that the grandfather threw the tooth; the convenience of the slide of the other woman popping up). The performances, however, were excellent.

[cine]

***Friendly Admin Spoiler alert***

When I saw this in early July, I had already read several reviews on the film, including Ebert's. In his review, he gives away the scene in the grandfather doesn't show up at her performance. I would've preferred not being told about it since I like finding out scenes are without cliches beforehand. There's more of a surprise element to the movies that way. I like thinking, "shit, I didn't see that coming" instead of "ah, he's not coming. I already know." but the great thing about Whale Rider, is that I knew full well what was going to happen, but the story and the development of the characters and the way the scene is shot made me almost cry for her as he doesn't show up. To me, that's a great movie for me. I didn't expect that at all. Plus Whale Rider seemed like it could've ended a few times with cliches or without... but its extended with other issues it wants to address. At this point I'm thinking, "I hope this doesn't start to lag now"... hell no, it doesn't. the spirit of this movie made me a firm believer that it just couldn't go wrong. Every scene and character was filled with such power that, again, I was almost crying by the credits. Almost. The cinema needs more Whale Riders.

[Gold Trumpet]

Call this a victim over overhype for me. After hearing reading all the praise, I was expecting to be moved...but I wasn't. It was a fine film, but I just didn't connect with it or the characters. And some of the scenes seemed like 'devices' to move the plot along (they just happen to be in the same spot that the grandfather threw the tooth; the convenience of the slide of the other woman popping up). The performances, however, were excellent.

There were devices in the plot, but not many and the ones in it I don't think did much harm because the film was so truthful and with purpose for all the right reasons. Devices in bad movies are another matter. When I first saw the movie, I really liked it. Nothing more. I hadn't been victim to over hype (I try to know as little about a movie as I can) but I didn't love it immediately. I saw it again and the movie changed and on a third viewing, changed to where it is a much deeper movie. Maybe over hype is what did it for you, maybe just the movie. I just suggest forget the movie and catch it again some night on a dvd rental without much thought to what to expect or hope for on a second viewing. Things could change.

~rougerum

[ono]

Just saw this tonight as part of a double-feature with Cidade de deus being the other one.  Interesting film.  Not much to be said that hasn't been.  The film is a retread, just like Bend it Like Beckham, but it does it well.  Keisha Castle-Hughes is a great little actress, and I loved the scene where she gave her speech and started crying.  It was brilliant for all the reasons mentioned.  Her grandfather annoyed me only because I dislike black-and-white characters.  Of course, he'll come around.  A more apt portrayal of an annoying flat character, though, is the protagonist's mother in Real Women Have Curves.  Anyway, the beached whale scene at the end was beautiful, and really made the film for me.  I dozed off a couple times at the get-go but that wasn't a fault of the film.  I had just sat through Cidade de deus and was tired anyway.  But still, yeah, this film was really a breath of fresh air.  ***½ (8/10)

[foray]

Ooh, I can share some trivia about this one.

When Pai's father shows the family a slideshow of his artworks, the sculptures shown are actually real works by Maori artist Brett Graham. http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/news/council/200210/20/a02.asp

Maori really believe that they are descended from Paikea, who escaped from the mythic Hawaiiki (suspected to be today's Hawaii - the languages are very similar). Paikea is Maori for orca/whale. Pai, which is the abbreviation of the girl's name, means "good" as well.

The canoe that the community helps build is very significant. Maori first arrived in New Zealand in wakas (waka = vehicle, canoe). The waka is a spiritual symbol of a journey. It is associated more with the men's craft, as only men were allowed to carve wakas. So for it to be led by a mere girl is ironic.

Finally, the scene where Pai's grandmother is giving the greeting call at the meeting house. While in the northern parts, only men are allowed to speak on the marae, the women are given the absolutely important task of calling out to visitors. When she gives the call, she is not just saying 'hello', but summoning pu the spirits of the dead. Visitors to the marae are supposed to bring their whole spiritual selves before going into the house, and the woman's greeting call aids that.

With all these cultural references, it is no wonder that New Zealanders, native Maori or not, are extremely proud of this film and have claimed it as their own.


foray

[Gold Trumpet]

yo foray, I found the novel the film was based on at a local store here. Thing is, it is in the children's section so I'm guessing it may only give me a light representation of the power the film had for me. Do I buy it?

[foray]

yo foray, I found the novel the film was based on at a local store here. Thing is, it is in the children's section so I'm guessing it may only give me a light representation of the power the film had for me. Do I buy it?

Yo sweetcheeks.

It's under Children's cos kids here have to study Witi Ihimaera for Lit . You're probably right. I wouldn't buy it if it were me. It's like when I watched The Hours before reading Michael Cunningham - didn't have the same oomph. Still, it's a thin book and prolly won't cost much, so no harm...


foray

[ono]

Keisha Castle-Hughes is on Leno like right this moment.  Tom Cruise was on a few moments ago.  Catch it next week on the early morning rerun if you missed it.  Good episode.

[MacGuffin]

Whale Rider Director Next Doing Class Action
Source: Variety

Whale Rider helmer Niki Caro is set to direct Class Action, an Erin Brockovich-style fictionalized account of the first major successful sexual harassment prosecution in the U.S. Production on the Warner Bros. project will begin later this year.

Written by Michael Seitzman, the film is based on the nonfiction book by Clara Bingham and Laura Leedy about Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines, a case that forced corporations to take seriously sexual harassment in the workplace.

The book "Class Action" centered on Lori Jenson, who took a job at a Minnesota iron mine in 1975. She and other female miners endured harassment from male co-workers, ranging from verbal taunts to pornographic graffiti and worse. Jenson eventually filed suit in 1984 and won a landmark legal decision.

[Jeremy Blackman]

SPOILERS!

Whale Rider Director Next Doing Class Action

This is exactly what we need, a feminist filmmaker with this kind of power.

Call this a victim over overhype for me.

Aww   ... I loved it, and was moved more that I expected to be. I read nothing about it and saw no trailers, which has really been working well for me lately, especially with this and 21 Grams.

the ending wrapped up too nicely.

The ending was the whole point of the movie. I could kind of see it coming (after the whales were beached), but I really got into it and it resonated with me.....and you know the only reason it's rated PG-13 is the ending.

And her dad looked like Scott Stapp from Creed?

He's the guy who usually plays middle-eastern terrorists, which can potentially be distracting.

it was VERY EXTREMELY spiritual.

But in the best possible way. It wasn't particularily religious... it clearly exposed the human flaws in their religion while effectively glorifying their spirituality.

I was almost crying by the credits. Almost. The cinema needs more Whale Riders.

I cried a lot during this and In America, but nothing else I've seen this year.

It's amazing the emotion and profundities it pulls off... it's a monumental accomplishment in sidestepping cheesiness.

I think it's most sincere movie of the year.

[Chest Rockwell]

Just saw this a minute ago. I really liked it...though I'm obviously very behind on the times. Anyway, I'm going out of town for a few days with probably no internet, so I'll see everyone Sunday night or something.

[cron]

a road trip? with a beautiful Spanish woman? and Gael Garcia, perhaphs?