Scene 16 is one in the movie which has a lot of meaning and significance. The boat which was to be built was completed after 12 years of hard work. Everyone when the boat was finished was happy and rejoicing as they had also got their new leader, Pai. The boat was being pushed towards the sea by many well – built men and women as they were all working together. There was a cultural ceremonial dance performed by the men and women of all ages. Pai and her grandfather Koro were sitting together in the boat as it was now set to go into the sea. Koro had his arms around Pai’s shoulders as he was so proud of his grand daughter. Before in the film we had seen Pai getting rejected by Koro but is accepted heartily in scene 16 as he noticed she was the most capable. Pai was giving commands to the men in the boat who were rowing in words which were hard to understand. The boat as
shown had a person on top of a whale (whale rider) at the front of it. A mid shot was shown of the men who were rowing the boat. Pororangi, Pai’s father was also focused at as he was rowing the boat. At the end of the scene everyone was proud of their new young leader.
The soundtrack in ‘The Whale Rider’ is mainly chanting as the boat is being moved towards the vast ocean to time the strokes while paddling. All the soundtracks were timed well. The main thing we hear in the scene is when Pai is giving commands to the men and women who are rowing the boat. This is trying to tell us that everyone at the end knows the chanting which is to be said.
The camera angle in this scene was changing so often. The boat was focused on first as it was completed after 12 years of hard work. We see a close up of the men
pushing the boat towards the ocean. Then Hemi’s face was shown as he was the boy who Koro thought was capable of being the leader as he had the most skill and talent among the rest of the boys. He is now proud of his dad who was doing the haka and is happy that his father is now, once again united with the whole community. This shot was a close up as it was focused on Hem’s face. Another close – up shot was between Pai and her grandfather was shown as he had his arms around her and was proud. A mid – shot after that is shown of the men and women rowing the boat along with Pai’s father Pororangi. Finally at the ending of scene 16 Pai is shown standing up giving her commands and is now accepted as the new leader by everyone.
Ishan
