Drama / Family
New Zealand / Germany,
2002, 105 min
Directed by:
Niki CaroScreenplay:
Niki CaroCinematography:
Leon NarbeyComposer:
Lisa GerrardCast:
Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis, Tammy Davis, John Sumner, Taungaroa Emile, Jane O'KaneVOD (1)
Plots(1)
There is a legend that Paikea rode on the back of a whale and led his people to New Zealand. Since that time tradition has decreed that the first-born male descendant will become chief of the tribe. Then Pai is born...and she is a girl. She grows up within a close-knit village which retains the tribes traditional spiritual relationship with the sea and their warrior values. Although loved by all, Pai faces rejection from her grandfather, Koro, who is brokenhearted that there is no grandson to carry on the line. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Awards
- Winner
- Nominations
Academy Awards
- 2004 - Keisha Castle-Hughes (Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role)
Independent Spirit Awards
- 2004 - Niki Caro (Best International Film)
British Independent Film Awards (BIFA)
- 2003 - Best Foreign Independent - Foreign Language
Critics Choice Awards
- 2004 - Keisha Castle-Hughes (Best Young Actor/Actress)
- 2004 - Best Family Film
Toronto International Film Festival
- 2002 - Niki Caro (People's Choice Award)
Sundance Film Festival
- 2003 - Niki Caro (Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic)
San Sebastián International Film Festival
- 2002 - Niki Caro (Golden Shell for Best Film)