Whale Rider

An incredibly beautiful movie. Keisha Castle Hughes has presented a talent that is way beyond her years, if she was an American she'd have converted her Oscar nomination into an Oscar.

The film is set in the Maori heartland, ie NewZealand. Pai(played by Keisha) is a Maori girl who is the last descendent of a long line of Maori chieftains, but alas! she's a girl, which means she broke the male chain of chieftains - thus her birth was her unluck and her people's, so believed her grandfather. This heart rendering story follows Pai's efforts to prove that even though a girl she's fit to lead her people if a need arises. But her grandfather would have none of it. Though he inhabits a space-time of present day NewZealand, he firmly believes women are not supposed to be leaders.For the rest, watch the movie.

The photography is par excellent, so is the music and so are all the actors - a brilliant combination directed by Niki Caro. This film should be made a must-watch in all the countries which practise female infanticide, enlighten yourselves people, times, they are a'changin'..