In the story of whale rider it is essential that Koro and the town accept Paikea as the true leader. The strings of the ancient ancestors have been ripped apart and only Paikea can weave them back together. Will Koro and the people approve of Paikea or will all the traditions of the Maori people be forgotten? Pai’s birth scene displays Koro’s lack of acceptance for her. In the scene of Pai’s speech a presentation of Pai’s suffering, caused by Koro’s disapproval is conveyed. The final scenes show how the relationship between Paikea and the tribe has changed. Approval, such a simple thing for a grandfather to give and the utter most desire of Paikea’s heart yet it’s the one thing Koro will not divulge.
The scene of Paikea’s birth is when Koro’s inability to accept Pai is first revealed. Koro’s first line in the film is: “where’s the boy?” The music stops and everything goes flat, this increases the sense of emptiness in Koro’s words. The line establishes to us Koro’s clear vision and goal for the future, his one focus. Koro has a job to do and Paikea being born gets in the way of that goal. If Koro’s job was to hammer in a nail then Paikea has broken off the end, this makes it almost impossible for Koro to hammer in the nail. When Koro comes to visit his grandson Pai is lying next to him. He merely glances at her before he makes the order for her to be taken away. This shows how Koro will not even acknowledge his granddaughter. But Paikea squeals and cries forcing him to comfort her; this is first sign of how she longs for his acknowledgment.
Pai’s speech shows us her heartache caused by Koro’s incapability to recognise that she is the new leader. ‘By being born I broke the line back to the ancient ones it wasn’t anybody’s fault it just happened.’ This sentence conveys how she does not blame Koro for his actions towards her. Pai feels betrayed and disappointed that he did not show up. This is presented through the tone of her...