1-World Festival of Foreign Films
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"Whale Rider"
2002
Directed by Niki Caro

Keisha Castle-Hughes delivers an exceptional debut performance as a young Maori girl determined to become her tribe's future leader, despite the objections from her grandfather, the tribe chief, in this coming-of-age story. Writer-director Niki Caro beautifully adapts author Witi Ihimaera's eponymous novel, carefully interjecting moments of tender humor and sadness into the young girl's struggle to define herself within her own culture. Winner of Sundance's World Cinema Audience Award.  105 minutes.