Rating: PG-13
Movie Release Date: January 30, 2003 (New Zealand) / July 4, 2003 (USA)
DVD Release Date: October 28, 2003
Plot 411: In a patriarchal society, a young girl must prove herself worthy of being the leader she knows she is capable of becoming.
Review: Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is a 12-year-old girl who is the only living descendent in the chief's lineage, because her twin brother and mother died in childbirth. This tragedy creates a lot of resentment between her and her grandfather Old Paka (Rawiri Paratene). The chief's title is passed to the first-born son and has never been passed on to a female. Pai knows she is capable of leading her people, and leading them well, but she must prove this to her grandfather. It's an uphill battle for her as she fights against tradition and culture. This was an amazing movie because it is so rare to find Polynesian stories in the mainstream culture. I suppose living in Hawaii exposes us to a lot more of Polynesia and its various cultural traditions, but this movie was probably very eye-opening to a worldwide audience. I think it really exposed a lot of people to the Maori culture and traditions. The scenery was also so breath taking and plays as another character in the movie. Castle-Hughes' performance is also inspiring and she deservedly received an Academy Award nomination.
Movie Release Date: January 30, 2003 (New Zealand) / July 4, 2003 (USA)
DVD Release Date: October 28, 2003
Plot 411: In a patriarchal society, a young girl must prove herself worthy of being the leader she knows she is capable of becoming.
Review: Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is a 12-year-old girl who is the only living descendent in the chief's lineage, because her twin brother and mother died in childbirth. This tragedy creates a lot of resentment between her and her grandfather Old Paka (Rawiri Paratene). The chief's title is passed to the first-born son and has never been passed on to a female. Pai knows she is capable of leading her people, and leading them well, but she must prove this to her grandfather. It's an uphill battle for her as she fights against tradition and culture. This was an amazing movie because it is so rare to find Polynesian stories in the mainstream culture. I suppose living in Hawaii exposes us to a lot more of Polynesia and its various cultural traditions, but this movie was probably very eye-opening to a worldwide audience. I think it really exposed a lot of people to the Maori culture and traditions. The scenery was also so breath taking and plays as another character in the movie. Castle-Hughes' performance is also inspiring and she deservedly received an Academy Award nomination.
Watch It: For a well-made and well-acted Maori movie.
Skip It: Only if you must.
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