Thoughts on Whale Rider RE 450 – Haipule Hawaii a me Ha„i„ōlelo (F2010)
Context
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1stBorn = Ka Hiapo Prophecy Next Chief
Concept Paikea born - To be the next leader
Koro chanting to still born
Why was Paka mad at son?
Following a traditional protocol but interrupted by crying baby. Lei niho palaoa (whale‟s tooth) - Symbol of chiefly status
Rheiputa: Bone from the jaw of a whale
Paikea enters the house with smoking family members.
Inquiry
Problems must be recognized and acted upon.
What was the symbolism of the crying child? What is the similarity between these two elements. What‟s significance of Pai‟s tone in this particular scene. Does this lesson reappear?
Horse (whale?) play during the school performance where the attendees laugh.
Typical adolescent energy and rascal misbehavior. Flippant value of traditions.
Why didn‟t Pai laugh at jokes? Why‟s her teasing significant?
What relevance, symbolism, and what does this act represent? KiaOra?
This is a gesture “honi” Eskimo? Maori? Hawaii?
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Paikea greets her father. Koro greets his son.
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Koro says to son that “They‟ve been waiting?”
The marae is the gathering place. This was Whitireia
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Paikea noted: “Everybody moved away”
The exodus of native peoples is common in search of new value based on new value system
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Waka was abandoned
Porourangi left it unfinished
10
The rope was prevelant throughout the movie
Many scenes, the rope is symbolic of many issues.
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Whirianga taura here tanga tau Paikea ke ta paka „ia ai ka „iwi
Wili „ana ke kaula no ka hele „ana a Pai„ea, ke pa‟a „ia ai ka „iwi.
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(Koro) Hurts to see what‟s happening to us”
An exodus of the younger people
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Koro said that privilege has responsibility to son.
Porourangi wanted to go back to Europe
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Pai and father stop on road
Pai listened to the ocean and then wanted to return.
15
Pai returns to Whitireia
Tells Koro she “is back.”
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The training of the young Maori men begins
Paikea leads the men onto in protocol as they enter the marae.
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Pai solicits and provides help to various others in the community
These moments of guidance/requests for help catalyzes tangible changes
He stopped and abandoned the building of the whaka
Who were waiting? What were they waiting for? What was the cause of such loss? What consequence does it have? What does canoe symbolize? Does it remain so? What is the symbolism of rope? What‟s response when it breaks?
Weave together the threads of Paikea so that our line remains strong. What are the metaphors?
Family dysfunction and Mis-prioritization.
What was happening to Whikireia? What privilege? What responsibility? Did Pai really hear something? Did father “know” what was up? What purpose/juxtaposition is offered up in this scene? Why does she sit in front? Does Paka have the authority to require her to sit in back? What authority does Pai have. What are example changes? Why are changes occurring?
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