’’A Little Child Shall Lead Them’’ Isaiah 11:1-10
(2 years ago when Lagaan was nominated for Oscars, I sat up late on Oscar night to at least catch a glimpse of Aamir Khan and Aushitosh. But all we got to see was a Rumba Routine by Sharon stone and John Travolta. When all other nominees got undivided spotlight the nominated foreign film directors were largely ignored. They didn’t have to have the foreign films category if this was the way they were going to be treated. The bright side of this though is movie masterpieces get the recognition that otherwise wouldn’t have gotten. I saw ’’No Man’s land? and it was a deserving beautiful movie about the absurdity of war ...and last year Keisha, a 11 year old girl was nominated for best actress, I wanted to see what was so special. )
The Opening scene is a hospital with a mother in labor. The mother dies in child labor. The baby girl survives and not the baby boy. The father is distraught but the Grandfather (Koro) vehemently declares he’s disappointed that the girl survived and not the boy. The grandmother of the child is a compassionate and strong woman. The father leaves the child, Pai, in his parent’s care to grieve alone.
In a voiceover (by Keisha) it is explained that the family belongs to a tribe called Maori. The Wangara family (Pai?s) is the direct descendants of Kahutia Te Rangi (Paikea) the Whale Rider. Legend has it that he traveled from Hawaiki an ancient place to the East Coast of New Zealand on the back of a whale and the whale is said to be their Guardian spirit. The first SON of the Wangara family in every generation becomes the leader of these people.
Pai’s dad scorns this tradition and leaves to make his life in Germany. As Pai’s twin brother died, she is the sole heir to the leadership. Her grandfather, Koro, a traditional man believes that a girl is not worthy to lead his tribe as it was against tradition. Disgusted at his father’s reaction upon the birth of his girl child, Pai’s father names her Paikea though the name is reserved for the son.
Pai grows up to be a tomboy and always earnest to please her grandfather. Pai believes that it is her destiny to lead her people and refuses to go to Germany with her father.
Her grandfather learns to love Pai as years pass, Pai becomes the apple of his eye, but he still simply refuses to accept that she can be the next leader. He even gets irritated when Pai does little things that remotely resemble the actions of a boy.
Times are hard for these people and they want a chief to lead them out of their troubles and Pai’s father refuses to be the chief.
So Koro begins his search for a new chief. Pai tries hard to impress her granddad. He forbids her from coming to the classes. He is enraged when he finds out Pai has been listening to the classes secretly. He orders her not to come anywhere near the classes.
But Pai is determined to learn the practices, ancient chants, and traditions of her people. Her grandmother is troubled by her grandchild’s pain decides to help her. Pai’s uncle becomes her teacher. Koro is heartbroken when none of the boys he trained pass a vital test. He calls out to the guardian spirits (whales) for help. But they don’t come. When Pai calls out to them without her grandfather’s knowledge they arrive.
Where the movie fails :
Keisha is a very good actress no doubt, but I didn’t understand the logic behind her nomination or that of Diane Keaton for that matter. (since when did howling become acting ?) But she deserved it more than Diane Keaton.
Gollum (Lord of the rings) really set the standard of Animation real high. The whales in the movie ....well, they are digital and it really shows.
Koro, Pai’s stubbornness to not let Pai be the leader sometimes tickles. (Which era is he in, stone ages?) When all the boys fail (12 of them literally), Pai succeeds, didn’t even seem like she put in much effort.
THIS IS A FAIRY TALE. Nothing more, nothing less.
Where the movie impresess:
Feel good movie for kids and the female species (like myself)
Keisha, in a scene where she fight backs tears when her grandfather fails to show up on her school day.She?s better than all the Lizzie McGuire?s put together.
Legends and myths are great fun and are very interesting.
New Zealand?s Landscapes...and oceans. (oh yeah, LOTR trilogy wasn’t enough) Niki
Caro, directed this movie base on the book by Maori writer Witi Ihimaera.