Ask me three weeks ago what the Maori tribe is and I would have given you a blank Homer Simpson look. After seeing Niki Caro's beautiful film 'Whale Rider', I not only knew about this interesting little culture, but I knew I had just viewed a small masterpiece. A young Maori girl, Paikea (Keisha Castle-Hughes) and her twin brother are born, and their father, Porourangi (Cliff Curtis) is the heir apparent to be the chief of their tribe, so all attention is on the first-born male child. Unfortunately, the male child dies during childbirth along with his mother, leaving Paikea as the sole child. Paikea's grandfather Koro (Rawiri Paratene) refuses to acknowledge her, and even tries to talk his son into looking for someone else to marry and father a son with while he is grieving in the hospital hallway. This is how Paikea's life begins, and we next see her as a young pre-adolescent, living with her grandparents now, as her father has moved to Europe to seek his fortune as an artist. Her grandfather has softened toward her, but still looks on her as a disappointment, but the have a decent enough relationship, and she and her grandmother are close. When she learns the legend of the 'Whale Rider', and learns about the role her brother would have played in the tribe she becomes determined to buck all convention and take his place.

Obviously, the story is complicated and the strong emotions that are pervasive throughout the film only make it more so. The clear conflict that Koro is in, trying to find the new chief of the tribe is unwavering to the point of hurting everyone around him and making himself sick weighs most heavily on Paikea, who in reality is just an 11 year old girl who wants her grandfather to love her, but is also determined to be something she knows she traditionally can't be. I have rarely witnessed a scene that is more painful than the one in which Paikea, having been recognized for excellence in her school, is giving a speech she dedicated to her grandfather at a school recital, and, while staring at his empty chair, can barely speak because her pain and sorrow is so great.

Caro's screenplay and film are absolutely beautiful. I found myself riveted from the beginning, as the story unfolds itself to be a sort of fable, until the very end. The cinematography, music and script are fantastic. The most amazing thing about the film however is the performance of Keisha Castle-Hughes, who was nominated for her role in this film. I remember being surprised at this year's awards when I saw this little girl (who refreshingly looked and dressed like a little girl) being nominated for best lead actress. Her performance in 'Whale Rider' is astonishingly good, almost frighteningly so.

Some may not like 'Whale Rider' because it is truly original, and definitely not a mainstream film, but I very highly recommend giving it a try. It truly was an incredible film to experience. 8/10

Shelly