Whale Rider

This movie reflection is based on the New Zealand film named “Whale Rider” directed by Niki Caro in 2002. In this movie is mainly focused on family includes a girl’s growth in a specific culture. Besides, it is focusing on and the positive culture identity, traditional gender role, leadership skills, male dominant society, dual attitudes, and cognitive dissonance. In this film, the plot follow of Piekea. She was born to be a leader, but she should not be a leader. And also, young girl really wants her grandfather’s love.

In this movie, there are two main actors, the grandfather, Koro, and hid granddaughter, Paikea. First of all, I would like to compare both two characters and personalities in some situations. The grandfather, Koro is a Maori and a leader in a small village. He believes a “Myth” that his ancestor came to this land with riding a whale few millennia ago. He needs to pass the position of leader to next generation, so he is trying to find the proper successor among of young boys throughout training and educating. As an effective leader, Koro has some traits, such as he has planning work strategy and knows how to educate young children with discipline and praise. Secondly, Koro tries to give them vision and passion, and encouraged the boys when assigned practice with stick.

Culturally, the Maori is one of a male dominant society, so they admit and accept only man can be a leader. In contrast, women should dedicate their lives to the upbringing of their children and support their husbands. Based on male dominant society, gender inequality is natural. Koro doesn’t accept woman can be a leader and even not allowed Paikea sit in a first line with males.

Koro has very positive culture identity regardless of their culture is minority culture. He is proud of his culture and very sure about the ancient chants, tribal lore, and worrier technique, but currently he is struggling about how lead people back to glory. Eventually, Koro lied ill by discouraged when the eldest sons of the village could not pass in barrier to be a leader.

    In spite of Koro loves his granddaughter, Paikea, but rather treat her with aloof consistently. Koro is initially angry at losing his grandson and being left with “worthless” female, Piekea. That’s reason why he couldn’t treat her nicely. Even though Koro carries her to school on his bicycle every day, he also resents Piakea and blames her for many of the troubles facing the tribe. He must be feels a bit of guilt and sorry for her, because Piakea has shown consistent love towards her grandfather. Besides, Koro knows that actually all are not her fault. He must be feels a bit of guilt and discomfort. Koro has experiencing inner conflict refers to cognitive dissonance.

Piekea is only 12 years old girl, but she is emotionally mature and thoughtful, and progressive young female. She was brought by grandparents with an uncle since her father left because of his wife and son has died when Piekea was born. In addition, Piekea’s father refused to accept the traditional leader of Maori tribes. However, she hasn’t complained about her father and even when grandfather Koro scolds or angry at her, rather understand Koro why he behaves like that.

Piekea herself is in interested in her leadership and culture. She also has positive cultural identity like grandfather. She is sure that she can do better anything than other young boys, such as when learning traditional songs and dance, but she always obey when Koro order her to stop it or to leave it. She seems to be really respects grandfather as a Mori leader. Piekea always pursue to grandfather’s love and recognition from him but less encouraged by him.

However, Piekea is so sure and confident what she wants and interested in, so she hasn’t give up her ambition and passion in her culture. In the long run, Piekea finally rides on the back of whale throughout the whale event. She has proved herself as a hero in reality from the legend or myth. Her status finally became as the next leader. She breaks the gender role inequality in the Maori society, in which woman never can be a leader. Eventually, she has got recognition and love from grandfather, Koro.

“Whale Rider” is the first New Zealand film I’ve ever seen before in my life. This film shows us the New Zealand’s landscape, unique Maori culture, mythology, modern and traditional harmony, gender discrimination, including a good balance of family unit. Although I wanted to know about the Maori, the opportunity did not reach it. However, in this time, it was true helpful that I could have opportunity to know and learn about the Maori’s culture through this film.

The Maori is the naive of New Zealand believed to originate from the east of Polynesia. The Maori has formed a nation with in relation with the whites. However, unfortunately, the Maori’s culture is only for the tourism, their traditional cultures have been disappearing. Most Maori live in the city and their education levels are low, so that they cannot get a job easily in a society. Furthermore, many people don’t have consciousness about their culture identity, so that many people have confusion and undergo drugs and alcohol problems and sometimes violence fall to get easily. This is the uncomfortable truth the Maori has at this moment.

The Maori has very unique culture in the world. Culture is an asset, resources, and representation of their pride. In New Zealand in order to be a one nation, two nations have to understand each other and should truly respect their culture. The Maori’s culture is not for own the Maori’s anymore, but also an important part of New Zealand.

Personally, I hope that the Maori people are able to coexist well of their traditional culture and modern civilization, so that we can see them as one of a variety of world heritage culture for a long long time.