Whale Rider
(2003)

In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.

Released: 2003-01-30

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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.

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Leon Narbey

Director of Photography

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Niki Caro

Screenplay

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Lisa Gerrard

Original Music Composer

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Witi Ihimaera

Associate Producer

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Grant Major

Production Design

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Kirsty Cameron

Costume Design

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Denise Kum

Makeup Supervisor

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Sigmund Spath

Underwater Director of Photography

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David Madigan

Sound Recordist

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Joan Scheckel

Script Consultant

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Gavin Strawhan

Script Consultant

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