Whale Rider (Caro, 2002)
Back in January 2017, I finally got around to watching Whale Rider for the first time. I still can’t fathom how I had avoided it for so long but better late than never, eh?
It’s just dropped on Netflix in Aotearoa but the algorithm might not be in any hurry to alert you.
It’s the story of Paikea (Keisha Castle-Hughes), determined to lead her tribe against the wishes of her elders. Eventually, she is able to prove her abilities in ways that are both grounded and also aligned with tradition. It still has the power to fill you up.
The first surprise was that I hadn’t known that Caro adapted Ihimaera’s novel herself. I had in my typically sexist sort of way assumed that someone like Graeme Tetley (who wrote Out of the Blue with Robert Sarkies) had been on it. Caro’s script is beautifully spare; the narration does just enough to give you some context but her visual storytelling does the rest.
Second surprise was that the film doesn’t demonise Koro (the grandfather played by Rawiri Paratene). I mean, he has his moments but there are also scenes where he shows real love and affection for his granddaughter Paikea (Keisha Castle-Hughes) and the sense of a family that still cares for each other despite circumstances pulling them apart is a lovely thread running through the whole thing. You root for them.
All the performances are very fine but Castle-Hughes stands out a mile. What an introduction! The scene which I’m sure got her all those votes from the acting branch of the academy, her speech at the school prize-giving, is a spectacular example of how powerful it is when a person is trying to hold their emotions in rather than just blubbing them out. That, after all, is our job.
Re-reading that article, I am reminded of this little anecdote:
I interviewed the great character actor Richard Jenkins in 2008 and he told me that working with Niki Caro on North Country was his best movie-making experience ever.
Where to watch Whale Rider
Aotearoa: Streaming on Netflix or TVNZ+ (free with ads) or digital rental from AroVision or NZ Film On Demand
Australia: Streaming on Netflix or SBS On Demand
Canada: Digital rental
Ireland: Digital rental
USA: Streaming on Fubo or Starz
UK: Streaming on Prime Video
Further listening
Here’s a link to another of my delectable chats with Emile at RNZ Nights last Friday. We chatted about The Edge of the Blade (see yesterday’s newsletter), Julia (see tomorrow’s newsletter) and The Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps.
