Whale Rider. Pakea As A Real Challenger Of Gendered Expectations - Movie Review Example

Whale Rider Paikea is a female counter-stereotype because she beats the odds to attempt the leadership in her community despite it being presented as a man’s opportunity. She brings forth a paradigm in the leadership by placing herself strategically for the position and utilizes every opportunity to show her capability over the Koro. The patriarchal leadership model is broken and at the end of the movie, all embraces the change, including her father and grandfather. The young lady seems knowledgeable and enlightened, she clearly understands her position in the society and is passionate about going for her best in defending that position.

The ‘Female Gaze’ theory as presented in Rubaiyat Hossain’s article clearly relates with the heroism of Pai. She notes in the article that it has been too obvious in the film industry that the feminine characters have had no chance of depicting heroism, neither are homosexuals (Hossain, 2010). Considering the theory, Pai perfectly fits as a female beating the odds. Upon mistreatment by her grandfather, Pai decided to leave with her father but on the way, she turns back claiming that she cannot leave the sea because the ways were calling her back.

She took initiative to learn traditional dances and songs in order to have a sense of belonging and help in her mission of aspiring to be a leader. He also opted not to follow his father who had disregarded leadership to be an artist in Germany. Taiaha had been reserved for use by boys, despite the discrimination against the girl child Pai took initiative in learning by following the lessons offered in secrecy. The relationship she developed with Koro was not any rosy after he realized her desire for the manly activities.

In the traditional activity of retrieving the rei puta from the sea, Pai throws herself in the boyish battle and triumphs. None of the boys is successful in finding the rei puta, this situation angers Koro but has nothing to do but accept the truth. Despite the resentment Koro developed against Pai, she tactfully invites him as the guest of honor on a concert that was to be held in her school. Koro is still resentful of Pai but her sign of success is revealed when he was coming late for the festival found the sharks near Pai’s home, the ultimate sign of her victory.

The film ends with the crowning of Pai as the leader with acceptance from all the people, including the men who had opposed her. 2. Whale Rider sends a strong anti-feminism message that despite the traditional beliefs that masculinity takes dominance; there is an equal opportunity for women and girls to develop their passions to whichever position they desire. It is acting as a source of encouragement that despite the impossibilities presented by individuals who resent the feminine characters, revenge is not the solution.

Women should throw themselves in the field and expect to play a rough game. Challenges in the way are inevitable but with a clear sense of direction and commitment, it is possible to achieve desirable results. Paikea is a real challenger of gendered expectations, she attempts treading grounds that no other woman has ever done. Seeking leadership for a woman was a completely new concept in the community. As Koro took Pai to school with his bicycle, he would have many questions ringing in his mind for lack of a patriarchal inheritor of his leadership in his lineage, but Pai made a point.

She learnt taiaha, a stick that was exclusively meant for boys to learn how to use. In looking for the rei puta, Pai finds it, disregarding the role set for men. To show her prowess, Pai had won the inter-school speech contest that was to be dedicated to Koro and the village traditions. To crown all these, Koro ultimately challenges the patriarchal leadership becoming the first female leader. 3. The Whale Rider is a counter-cinema and a female gaze in that it presents a heroic character that is not common in the film industry.

Compared to earlier years much has changed and the female characters in Hollywood are seen to triumph and emerge successful over their male counterparts. The female characters having these successful roles demonstrate the status of the women in society today as well as providing role models for young girls (Kord and Krimmer, 2005). Considering the situation of the Hollywood in the 1990’s women characters had a very basic role to play in the film industry, those who triumphed were men who used the female characters in finding their way heroism.

It has been asserted that this traditional perception reduced the scope of the film industry, because of the narrow mindset that the creators depicted. The pressure to present variety has brought the revolution that is evident in the film industry. Criticism from Kord and Krimmer has presented the early strategy as “a rag bag of contradictory messages” (Kord and Krimmer, 2005). There are issues among the people of America that fails to be highlighted by the Hollywood films but with the new crop of actors , it is expected that a massive revolution will be experience.

References Garcia, M., Whale Rider, Film Journal International. Retrieved on 15th Nov, 2013. http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/esearch/%20article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000695676 Hossain, R., (2010)Defining the Female Gaze, Flickfilosopher. Retrieved on 15th Nov, 2013. http://www.flickfilosopher.com/2010/06/defining-the-female-gaze.html Kord, S., & Krimer, E. (2005). Hollywood Divas, Indie Queens, and TV Heroines: Contemporary Screen Images of Women. Lanham, MD:Rowman & Littlefield. P.1-13.