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- 101 Minutes
- Lionsgate
- Language English
- Country New Zealand
- Rated:
- Format: 2.35:1
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- Directed by Niki Caro
- Written by Niki Caro, Witi Ihimaera (book)
- Starring Cliff Curti, Grant Roa, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton
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A small Maori village faces a crisis when the heir to the leadership of the Ngati Konohi dies at birth and is survived only by his twin sister, Pai. Although disregarded by her grandfather and shunned by the village people, twelve-year-old Pai remains certain of her calling and trains herself in the ways and customs of her people. With remarkable grace, Pai finds the strength to challenge her family and embraces a thousand years of tradition in order to fulfill her destiny.
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Won: Audience Award World Cinema, 2003 Sundance Film Festival; People's Choice Award, 2002 Toronto international Film Festival; Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress (Castle-Hughes), Best Supporting Actor & Actress, Best Music, 2003 New
Nominated: Best Actress (Castle-Hughes), 2004 Academy Awards; Best Foreign Film, 2003 Australian Film Institute; Best Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Actress (Castle-Hughes), 2004 Academy Awards; Best Foreign Film, 2004 Satellite Awards
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Fresh, observant, tough and genuinely moving&
- More on Whale Rider:
- Official film Web site
- Study guide on the film