Whale Rider (2002)
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- PG-13
- 1h 41min
- Drama, Family
- 29 Aug 2003 (USA)
- Movie
A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 33 wins & 34 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Keisha Castle-Hughes | ... |
Paikea
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| Rawiri Paratene | ... |
Koro
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| Vicky Haughton | ... |
Nanny Flowers
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| Cliff Curtis | ... |
Porourangi
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| Grant Roa | ... |
Uncle Rawiri
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| Mana Taumaunu | ... |
Hemi
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| Rachel House | ... |
Shilo
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| Taungaroa Emile | ... |
Willie
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Tammy Davis | ... |
Dog
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Mabel Wharekawa | ... |
Maka
(as Mabel Wharekawa-Burt)
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Rawinia Clarke | ... |
Miro
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Tahei Simpson | ... |
Miss Parata
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Roi Taimana | ... |
Hemi's Dad
(as Roimata Taimana)
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Elizabeth Skeen | ... |
Rehua
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Tyronne White | ... |
Jake
(as Tyrone White)
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Taupua Whakataka-Brightwell | ... |
Ropata
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Tenia McClutchie-Mita | ... |
Wiremu
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Peter Patuwai | ... |
Bubba
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Rutene Spooner | ... |
Parekura
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Riccardo Davis | ... |
Maui
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Apiata Whangaparita-Apanui | ... |
Henare
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| John Sumner | ... |
Obstetrician
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Sam Woods | ... |
Young Rawiri
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Pura Tangira | ... |
Ace
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| Jane O'Kane | ... |
Anne
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Aumuri Parata-Haua | ... |
Baby Paikea
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Directed by
| Niki Caro | ||
Written by
| Niki Caro | ... | (written by) |
| Witi Ihimaera | ... | (book "The Whale Rider") |
Produced by
| John Barnett | ... | producer |
| Reinhard Brundig | ... | co-producer |
| John B. Crye | ... | Distributor |
| Bill Gavin | ... | executive producer |
| Linda Goldstein Knowlton | ... | executive producer |
| Frank Hübner | ... | producer |
| Witi Ihimaera | ... | associate producer |
| Tim Sanders | ... | producer |
Music by
| Lisa Gerrard | ||
Cinematography by
| Leon Narbey | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| David Coulson | ||
Editorial Department
| Julie Alp | ... | assistant editor |
| Hans Joachim Bruß | ... | color grader (as Hans-Joachim Bruß) |
| Renate Dahmen | ... | negative cutter |
| Guido Krajewski | ... | editing facility manager |
| Bruce McArthur | ... | laboratory manager: Atlas |
| Robert Pinnow | ... | post-production technical supervisor: TVT |
| Clare Burlinson | ... | video colorist (uncredited) |
| Charles Knight | ... | editorial advisor (uncredited) |
| Dee McClelland | ... | rushes colorist (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Diana Rowan | ||
Production Design by
| Grant Major | ||
Art Direction by
| Grace Mok | ||
Costume Design by
| Kirsty Cameron | ||
Makeup Department
| Barbie Cope | ... | hair assistant / makeup assistant |
| Denise Kum | ... | hair supervisor / makeup supervisor |
| Jane O'Kane | ... | hair assistant |
| Kenzie Sampson | ... | makeup trainee (as Kenzie Samson) |
| Orlando Bassi | ... | wig maker (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Janet McIver | ... | production manager |
| Peter Moerenhout | ... | unit manager (as Pete Moerenhout) |
| Anne Urban | ... | post-production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Anna Gundesen | ... | assistant director: second unit |
| Neil James | ... | second assistant director |
| Michelle Sowman | ... | third assistant director |
| Liz Tan | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Dan Blanshard | ... | props |
| John Brockie | ... | carpenter |
| Pete Burney | ... | carpenter |
| Brian Campbell | ... | set finisher |
| Graham Collins | ... | carpenter |
| Kerry Dunn | ... | scenic artist |
| Jackie Gilmore | ... | set dresser |
| Brett Graham | ... | sculptor: Porourangi's sculpture |
| Kate Highfield | ... | art department manager |
| Maka Makatoa | ... | storyboard artist |
| Bernard Makoare | ... | designer: Reiputa |
| John Miles | ... | construction manager |
| Russell Munro | ... | carpenter (as Russ Munro) |
| Lia Neilson | ... | art department runner |
| Josh Patterson | ... | greensman |
| Aaron Reedy | ... | property assistant |
| Michaela Sanders | ... | art department runner |
| Richard Sheath | ... | leading hand |
| Megan Vertelle | ... | set dresser/buyer |
| Nick Walter | ... | carpenter |
| Nick Weir | ... | props buyer |
| Neil Williamson | ... | carpenter |
| Roger Murray | ... | propmaker (uncredited) |
| Anthony Sumich | ... | props stand-by (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Chris Burt | ... | adr supervisor |
| Stephan Colli | ... | sound designer: atmos / sound supervisor |
| Corrin Ellingford | ... | boom operator |
| Hubert Henle | ... | sound consultant: Dolby |
| Stefan Korte | ... | re-recording mixer |
| David Madigan | ... | sound recordist |
| Sven Neumann | ... | dialogue editor |
| Mirko Reinhard | ... | special effects sound designer |
| Luigi Rensinghoff | ... | dialogue editor |
| Wilmont Schulze | ... | foley artist |
| Josef Steinbüchel | ... | special effects sound designer |
| Markus Wimmer | ... | special effects sound designer |
| André Zimmerman | ... | sound designer: atmos (as André Zimmermann) |
| David Madigan | ... | production sound mixer (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Phil Addenbrook | ... | physical effects: Film Effects (as Phil Addenbrooke) |
| Dean Clarke | ... | physical effects: Film Effects |
| Oliver Gee | ... | special effects assistant |
Visual Effects by
| Dan Blanchard | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects |
| Christel Brunn | ... | visual effects producer: TVT |
| Justin Buckingham | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects |
| Manfred Büttner | ... | visual effects producer: TVT |
| Barry Down | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects |
| Steve Dyson | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects |
| Erich Eder | ... | inferno artist: TVT / technical director: TVT |
| Terry Green | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects |
| Jason Johnston | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects |
| John Lott | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects |
| Steve Lowe | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects |
| George Maihöfer | ... | visual effects superviser: TVT (as George Maihoefer) |
| Charlie McClellan | ... | digital effects consultant: TVT (as Charles McClellan) |
| Greg N. Nichols | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects (as Greg Nichols) |
| Kevin Riley | ... | visual effects |
| Caterina Schiffers | ... | digital compositing: TVT |
| Florian Schuck | ... | digital retouching: TVT |
| Dean Taylor | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects |
| Gaysorn Thavat | ... | visual effects (as Gatsorn Thavat) |
| Markus Wollschläger | ... | digital retouching: TVT |
| Steve Young | ... | whale construction: Glasshammer Visual Effects |
| Dee McClelland | ... | dailies colorist (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Mark Harris | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Mark Harris | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Armie Armstrong | ... | underwater camera operator |
| Rachel Beard | ... | clapper loader |
| Joshua Creeks | ... | additional grip (as Josh Creeks) |
| Kevin Donovan | ... | key grip |
| Rhys Duncan | ... | steadicam operator |
| Kirsty Griffin | ... | still photographer |
| Brenden Holster | ... | camera assistant: second unit (as Brendan Holster) |
| Stephen Joyce | ... | generator operator (as Steve Joyce) / generator operator |
| Brian Laird | ... | best boy |
| Henare Mato | ... | lighting assistant |
| Grant McKinnon | ... | gaffer |
| Leon Narbey | ... | camera operator |
| Simon Ranginui | ... | additional lighting technician |
| Kevin Riley | ... | camera operator: second unit |
| Jim Rowe | ... | grip assistant |
| Paul Samuels | ... | focus puller |
| Sigmund Spath | ... | underwater photographer |
| Gaysorn Thavat | ... | focus puller: second unit |
| Johnny Yarrel | ... | video assistant |
| James Young | ... | lighting assistant |
Casting Department
| Christina Asher | ... | additional casting |
| Robyn Cammell | ... | casting assistant (as Robin Cammell) |
| Riwia Fox | ... | casting assistant / extras casting |
| Karen Sidney | ... | extras casting assistant |
| Karen Sydney | ... | additional casting |
| Stu Turner | ... | additional casting (as Stuart Turner) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Paul Booth | ... | wardrobe runner |
| Deirdre McKessar | ... | assistant costume designer |
| Jenny Rushton | ... | stand-by wardrobe (as Jenni Rushton) |
Location Management
| Podge | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Simon Bowley | ... | music mixer |
| Ricky Edwards | ... | technical music support (as Rickey Edwards) |
| Chris Gough | ... | music supervisor: Mana Music |
| Jacek Tuschewski | ... | technical music support (as Jacek Tushewski) |
| Michael Edwards | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Savage | ... | music performer: Deceptikonz member (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Robert Sarkies | ... | script editor |
| Joan Scheckel | ... | script consultant |
| Gavin Strawhan | ... | script consultant |
| Kathleen Thomas | ... | continuity (as Kath Thomas) |
Additional Crew
| Phil Addenbrook | ... | marine engineer: Film Effects (as Phil Addenbrooke) |
| Kath Allen | ... | chaperone: Gisborne |
| Shane Armitage | ... | safety officer |
| Thomas Becker | ... | legal affairs: ApolloMedia |
| Tania Bettany | ... | financial controller: South Pacific Pictures |
| Josef Brandmaier | ... | structured finance |
| Anni Browning | ... | completion bond: Film Finances |
| Sally Campbell | ... | head of production: South Pacific Pictures |
| Alice Carstensen | ... | production runner |
| Dean Clarke | ... | marine engineer: Film Effects |
| Sian Clement | ... | unit publicist |
| Helen Copplestone | ... | assistant accountant |
| Birthe Danielsen | ... | assistant: Mr. Felscher |
| David Dant | ... | shortfall insurance: Filmvision |
| Matt Emery | ... | legal and business affairs manager: South Pacific Pictures |
| Spencer Faulkner | ... | unit assistant: second unit |
| Thorsten Felscher | ... | financial controller: ApolloMedia |
| Laura Fong | ... | production coordinator |
| Oliver Gee | ... | marine engineer: Film Effects |
| Moira Grant | ... | production coordinator |
| Carol Haapu | ... | consultant: Iwi |
| Rewa Harker | ... | assistant: John Barnett |
| Brian Harris | ... | operator: remote head |
| Karen Hawkyard | ... | animal wrangler |
| Willy Heatley | ... | boat coordinator |
| Maude Isaac | ... | chaperone: Gisborne |
| Lyssa Judd | ... | production runner |
| Camelija Karlic | ... | production coordinator: Pandora |
| Jens Kriegel | ... | projection assistant |
| Matt Lawford | ... | shortfall insurance: Filmvision |
| Di Magee | ... | production accountant |
| Samia Mainz | ... | assistant: Mr. Hubner |
| Pat Merrifield | ... | swimming coach |
| Guy Moana | ... | maori design/carvings |
| James Mok | ... | title designer: TVT |
| Damian Molloy | ... | water safety |
| Markus Münz | ... | projection assistant |
| Waio Parata-Haua | ... | stand-in: Paikea |
| Johnny Poi | ... | instructor: Taiaha |
| Ngamaru Raerino | ... | kaumatua: South Pacific Pictures |
| Karin Reinink | ... | assistant: John Barnett |
| Nadine Schäfer | ... | assistant: Mr. Westerkamp and Mr. Schafer |
| Krissy Stainton | ... | production runner |
| Dominic Stones | ... | unit assistant |
| Hone Taumaunu | ... | consultant: Iwi |
| Rainer Teusner | ... | accountant: Pandora |
| Aaron Tomlinson | ... | casual assistant |
| Martin Trendall | ... | insurance: Mahony, Trendall, Jack |
| Mike Turner | ... | manager: second unit |
| Karla Wallace | ... | production secretary |
| Jörg Westerkamp | ... | legal affairs: ApolloMedia (as Jorg Westerkamp) |
| Stephanie Wilkin | ... | chaperone / tutor |
| Hughie Williams-Karaitiana | ... | Communications Technician |
| Hone Taumaunu | ... | production advisor (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Dave Ahu | ... | special thanks |
| Mere Boynton | ... | special thanks |
| Nancy Greystone | ... | special thanks |
| Liddy Holloway | ... | special thanks |
| Derek Lardelli | ... | special thanks (as Derek) |
| Rose Lardelli | ... | special thanks |
| Andrew Lister | ... | special thanks |
| Ian Mune | ... | special thanks |
| Murray Newey | ... | special thanks |
| Kath Te Kani | ... | special thanks |
| Judith Trye | ... | special thanks |
| Tim Worrall | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
- South Pacific Pictures (presents)
- ApolloMedia Distribution (presents)
- Pandora Filmproduktion (presents)
- New Zealand Film Production Fund (in association with)
- New Zealand Film Commission (in association with)
- New Zealand On Air (in association with)
- Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen (sponsored by)
Distributors
- Solopan (2002) (Poland) (theatrical)
- Alliance Atlantis Communications (Canada) (theatrical)
- BIM Distribuzione (2003) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista International (Australia) (2003) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Cinema Mondo (2003) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Filmladen (2003) (Austria) (theatrical)
- First Distributors (2003) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
- Herald Film Company (2003) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Icon Film Distribution (2003) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Newmarket Films (2003) (United States) (theatrical)
- NonStop Entertainment (2003) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Pandora Filmproduktion (2003) (Germany) (theatrical)
- RCV Film Distribution (2003) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- RCV Film Distribution (2003) (Luxembourg) (theatrical)
- RCV Film Distribution (2003) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Splendor Films (2019) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Telexcel (2003) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Telexcel/ImpactoCine (2006) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Vértice 360 (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
- With Cinema (2003) (South Korea) (theatrical)
- Alliance Atlantis Home Video (2003) (Canada) (DVD)
- Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Gativideo (2004) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Gativideo (2004) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (VHS)
- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (2005) (United States) (tv) (broadcast premiere)
- RCV Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (VHS) (rental)
- RCV Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS) (retail)
- Rai Movie (2016) (Italy) (tv)
- Shout Select (2017) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Shout! Factory (2017) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Shout! Factory (2017) (United States) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Television (United States) (tv)
Special Effects
- Film Effects Co. Ltd. (marine engineers and physical effects)
- Glasshammer Visual Effects (whale construction)
- tvt. postproduction (digital visual effects provided by)
Other Companies
- ARRI Digital (digital scanning and recording)
- ARRI Rental (cameras supplied by)
- ARRI (cameras supplied by)
- Bayerische HypoVereinsbank AG München (film banking [de])
- Bonifant and Saxby (caterers)
- Cut Company (editing)
- Digital Post Ltd. (telecine facility: New Zealand)
- Film Finances (completion bond company)
- Filmvision P.L.I. Ltd. (shortfall insurance)
- Granada Wild (whale footage)
- KAM Models and Talent (extras casting)
- KO Creative (trailer)
- Kodak Eastmancolour (filmstock supplied by)
- Mahony, Trendall, Jack (insurance company)
- Mana Music (music supervision)
- Ngati Konohi (special thanks)
- Oktobor (telecine facility: New Zealand)
- Ruhr Sound Studios (sound mixing facility)
- Sundance Film Festival (festival)
- Te Wananga O Aotearoa (special thanks to)
- Toronto International Film Festival (festival)
- Torus GmbH (foley recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. Written by berkeley |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | One young girl dared to confront the past, change the present and determine the future See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | NZD6,000,000 (estimated) |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $20,662,447 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The whales in the movie are a combination of footage of real whales, life size models (some with humans creating movement) and CGI. Keisha Castle-Hughes said the key whale riding scene took place 15-20 miles offshore, and was terrifying. See more » |
| Goofs | The father and grandfather argue after the slide show, and the father goes to pull down the white sheet that was hung over some drapes to act as a screen. He pulls it down, along with the rod and orange drapes that the sheet was hanging from. Moments later, the drapes are back up in place and hanging perfectly straight, without enough time for him to re-hang the drapes. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Making of 'Whale Rider' (2003). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Bar One See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Dedicated to those who have gone before See more » |
| Quotes |
[first lines]
Paikea: In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting. Waiting to be filled up. Waiting for someone to love it. Waiting for a leader. [child birth scene] Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. A man to lead a new people. Our ancestor, Paikea. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. For the boy who would be chief. Paikea: There was no gladness when I was born. My twin brother died, and took our mother with him. See more » |