Backbencher

In the movie The Whale Rider, Maori chief, Koro, expects his son to produce an heir. His son, Porourangi looses both his wife and his one son during childbirth of his twins. The one remaining was his daughter whom he names Pai. The tradition of the Maori people was that their ancestor, Paikea rode a whale from the land of their ancestors to New Zealand and that Koro's line of genealogy is to produce a male to continue Paikea's lineage. Stricken with grief, Koro's son runs away and leaves New Zealand. Pai is left to be raised by her grandparent. It is often evident that Koro loves Pai but most of the time he is disappointed that she isn't a male. Pai only wants to please her grandfather and to be loved by him. Since Koro doesn't have a male heir, he calls upon the young Maori boys of his village and in hope that one will prove themselves to become chief. After almost completing their training in the traditions of Maori culture, Koro catches Pai secretly training as well. He is offended that a female would attempt to learn the male traditions and is disgraced by Pai. She calls out to the whales to help her grandfather. The whales respond and become beached. Koro observes the whales and feels that the end of Paikea's lineage and the Maori village is eminent. The only one who can save the whales is Pai as she takes her place on the whale she believed to be Paikea's whale and rides her whale out to sea. It is then that her grandfather realizes that she truly is the heir to become chief. The beauty of this film is that is lets the viewers experience life and traditions of the Maori people in New Zealand. From traditional Maori long boats, the language, culture, oral and genealogical traditions to singing and dancing, this movie covers all of it.