Whale Rider directed by Niki Caro is a movie about a young girl named Paikea. Her goal is to prove to her capable grandfather of becoming the next tribal leader. Pai’s grandfather believes that only capable boys are allowed to be the leaders, which blinds him in seeing his granddaughter’s passion as his successor.
A character I admire most is Paikea because of her bravery and with all the hardship she faced through her journey, she never looked back and held in the little hope she had in her life. Paikea has a positive, cultural identity like her grandfather. She is sure that she can do better at anything than other boys, such as when learning traditional songs and dance, but she always obeys when Koro order her to stop it or leave it. She seems to be really respected Koro as a Maori leader. Paikea always pursues to koro’s love and recognition from him, but less encouraged by him. However, Paikea is so sure and confident what she wants and interested in, so she hasn’t given up her ambition and passion
…show more content…
Right from the moment of her birth, she was discriminated upon by the members of her tribe. This is due to her mother and twin brother died during the delivery, leaving Paikea as the unfavorable child to her grandfather Koro. This emphasizes the dislike Koro has for her because she survived over her brother, who would have become chief after Porourangi. When Porourangi told him his wife had given birth to a girl, Koro was disgusted. He announced he “would have nothing to do with her” because “she has broken the male line of descent.”Koro’s reaction to Paikea’s birth clearly demonstrated his discrimination towards females. This scene shows how strongly Koro believed that boys were blessed and women were useless. As Maori leadership is traditionally passed on from eldest son to eldest son, he declared Paikea is no good. This is an example of gender inequalities being portrayed in this