Whale Rider is a drama film directed by Niki Caro which was released in 2002. It tells the story of a young Maori girl, called ‘Paikea’ after her ancestor, who was a great leader to his people and the original ‘whale rider’. The opening scene where Koro’s inability to accept Pai as a true leader is first revealed is an important aspect of the movie. The director shows the audience what is significant through the use of camera work and sound.
This scene is first shown with a mid-shot of the two babies in their cribs. Then Paikea voices over: “Everyone was waiting for the first born boy to lead us, but he died and I didn’t”. Here the director establishes the importance of a boy child and creates sadness and sympathy for the remaining child.
Koro’s intentions are immediately revealed the moment he arrives at the hospital. His first line in the film is “where’s the boy?”. The music stops and everything goes flat. The director, by doing this increases the sense of emptiness in Koro’s words. This line establishes to us Koro’s clear vision and goal for the future, his one focus.Whale Rider is a drama film directed by Niki Caro which was released in 2002. It tells the story of a young Maori girl, called ‘Paikea’ after her ancestor, who was a great leader to his people and the original ‘whale rider’. The opening scene where Koro’s inability to accept Pai as a true leader is first revealed is an important aspect of the movie. The director shows the audience what is significant through the use of camera work and sound.
This scene is first shown with a mid-shot of the two babies in their cribs. Then Paikea voices over: “Everyone was waiting for the first born boy to lead us, but he died and I didn’t”. Here the director establishes the importance of a boy child and creates sadness and sympathy for the remaining child.
Koro’s intentions are immediately revealed the moment he arrives at the hospital. His first line in the film is “where’s the boy?”. The music...