2002, New Zealand/Germany
Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy
::Flick Quickie::
Through the eyes of director Niki Caro, the words of author Witi Ihimaera, and the music of composer Lisa Gerrard, this film creates a mythological world rarely so beautifully and realistically portrayed on the big screen.
The creation myth for this particular Maori tribe relates the journey of the ancestor Paikea, who was so weary crossing the ocean to their future home that he required the assistance of a whale to carry him to safety. It is this unbreakable connection to the surrounding ocean beasts and to the tribe's male ancestry that the current leader, Koro, depends upon without question. He sees no option for alternatives if his tribe is to continue to prosper. When his people begin to loose faith and interest in their culture, only an extreme event can open his eyes to the changing world.
When his son's wife dies in childbirth and the surviving heir twin is not male, Koro's headstrong beliefs blind him to the miracles that present themselves. Pulled straight from the schoolyard is newcomer Keisha Castle-Hughes, portraying the unwanted descendant Piakea (named for the first ancestor) with purity and determination. The supporting cast of native New Zealanders are wonderfully natural and heartfelt in their examination of the clash of traditions versus modern distractions, and of individual leaders versus group strength.
The DVD extras are well done and enlightening, including trailers, deleted scenes with commentary, a featurette, a feature on building the film's war canoe, soundtrack selections, a photo gallery, audio commentary by the director, and an Easter egg of Castle-Hughes' impressive audition tape.