Whale Rider
6 December 2012
Religion 100
Religious Themes Through The Whale Rider Within the movie Whale Rider, a mythic and sacred story is represented through a girl’s struggle in becoming a leader by breaking tradition. Within this contemporary-fairy tale, Whale Rider also entails a spiritual bond that the main character, Paikea, has with a quasi-mystical creature, represented as a whale. The movie Whale Rider fits in the group of mythological film because it “explains a tale full of life mysteries to make them bearable” (Greene 8). Mythology helps people to learn from their ancestor’s stories. By hearing mythic stories, people have an idea on how to be more like their ancestors. Since Whale Rider revolves around mythical themes, it can also be viewed as capturing various religions motifs. In particular, religious themes such as sacrificial love, rebirth and resurrection, nature and religion, and spiritual journey are represented. Critics aspire to say that these religious themes give Whale Rider a positive take on religion. The beginning of Whale Rider begins with Paikea’s life story. Paikea states in the opening of the movie, “In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness that was waiting, waiting to be filled up, waiting for someone to love it, waiting for a leader. And he came on the back of the whale, a man to lead a new people. Our ancestor, Paikea. But now we were waiting for firstborn of the new generation. For the decedent of the Whale Rider, for the boy who would be chief.” The first opening scene shows Paikea’s parents and her twin brother. Due to complications, Paikea’s twin and her mother both die in the hospital. Paikea’s grandfather, Koro, asks what his son, Pourangani, is going to name the baby. Pourangani turns to Koro and says “Paikea.”
When Paikea’s father names her, Koro is angry about her new name. Koro knows Paikea should not be named after her great ancestor. Koro also understands that in Maori culture there has not been a leader named
Religion 100
Religious Themes Through The Whale Rider Within the movie Whale Rider, a mythic and sacred story is represented through a girl’s struggle in becoming a leader by breaking tradition. Within this contemporary-fairy tale, Whale Rider also entails a spiritual bond that the main character, Paikea, has with a quasi-mystical creature, represented as a whale. The movie Whale Rider fits in the group of mythological film because it “explains a tale full of life mysteries to make them bearable” (Greene 8). Mythology helps people to learn from their ancestor’s stories. By hearing mythic stories, people have an idea on how to be more like their ancestors. Since Whale Rider revolves around mythical themes, it can also be viewed as capturing various religions motifs. In particular, religious themes such as sacrificial love, rebirth and resurrection, nature and religion, and spiritual journey are represented. Critics aspire to say that these religious themes give Whale Rider a positive take on religion. The beginning of Whale Rider begins with Paikea’s life story. Paikea states in the opening of the movie, “In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness that was waiting, waiting to be filled up, waiting for someone to love it, waiting for a leader. And he came on the back of the whale, a man to lead a new people. Our ancestor, Paikea. But now we were waiting for firstborn of the new generation. For the decedent of the Whale Rider, for the boy who would be chief.” The first opening scene shows Paikea’s parents and her twin brother. Due to complications, Paikea’s twin and her mother both die in the hospital. Paikea’s grandfather, Koro, asks what his son, Pourangani, is going to name the baby. Pourangani turns to Koro and says “Paikea.”
When Paikea’s father names her, Koro is angry about her new name. Koro knows Paikea should not be named after her great ancestor. Koro also understands that in Maori culture there has not been a leader named
Cited: Berney, Bob. "Whale Rider Review." Whale Rider. New Market Films, n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2012. Fillingim, David. "Journal of Religion & Film: When Jesus Was a Girl: Polymythic Female Christ Figures in Whale Rider and Steel Magnolias By David Fillingim." Journal of Religion & Film: When Jesus Was a Girl: Polymythic Female Christ Figures in Whale Rider and Steel Magnolias By David Fillingim. N.p., 1 Apr. 2010. Web. 03 Dec. 2012. <http://www.unomaha.edu/jrf/Vol14no1/JesusGirl.html>. Greene, Liz. The Mythic Journey: The Meaning of Myth As a Guide to Life. N.p.: Simon and Schuster, 2000. Print. Hardy, Ann. "Return Of The Taniwha: The Re-Spiritualization Of Land And Film In Aotearoa". British Review Of New Zealand Studies. Vol. 14, pp 84-104, 2003. Paterson, Lachy. "Maori Conversion To The Rule Of Law And Nineteenth Century Imperial Loyalties". Journal Of Religious History. Vol, 32, 2, June, 2008. Stewart, Don. What Do We Know about Jesus ' Earthly Parents: Joseph and Mary? Pearson and Dwight, 1993. Print. The English Standard Version Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments with Apocrypha. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2009. Print.