Continuity mistake: When the villagers are joining the old chief on the beach, to see all the beached whales, it is raining heavily, yet his face and suit are completely dry.
Whale Rider (2002)
Plot summary
Directed by: Niki Caro
Starring: Cliff Curtis, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton
Paikea is a Maori girl who was born as a twin. Unfortunately her twin brother, who was supposed to be the chief of her village, died at birth and her grandfather did not want her because of her being a girl. Her grandfather then begins to search for a new chief by training young boys from the village. Paikea tries to learn the things the boys are learning in secret and is taught by her uncle. Eventually some whales are beached on the sand outside the village and the village people cannot save them but Pai rides the biggest whale to safety and all the other whales follow her. Her grandfather then realises that she was destined to be chief of the village.
Paikea: A long time ago, my ancestor Paikea came to this place on the back of a whale. Since then, in every generation of my family, the first born son has carried his name and become the leader of our tribe... until now.
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Answer: No, she doesn't die. Summary from Wikipedia: Paikia climbs onto the back of the largest whale and coaxes it to re-enter the ocean. The whale leads the whale pod back into the sea; Paikia submerges completely underwater before being thrown off the whale's back by the tide. The spectators fear she has drowned. When Paikia is found alive and brought to the hospital, her grandfather, Koro, declares her the new tribal chief. At the end, Paikia and her family are on the beach, watching the completed canoe being launched into the sea for its maiden voyage.
raywest ★