Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
I’ve been hearing good things about WHALE RIDER for a while now, but this is the first I’ve heard of HYPNOTIC, which evidently stars Euro-Clooney from ER. I believe Irish-Man is skulking about Las Vegas this week, too, so I expect to hear something about all the screenings there from him, as well.
In the meantime, here’s a first-time spy, the Middle School Madwoman:
I am hoping, for America's sake, that Whale Rider is released here. This powerful film based on a Maori legend not only schools us about these amazing people, but also about family dynamics and how a 12-year old girl had the strength to save her people.
This was my first ShoWest and my first Independent Film Festival. Everyone was buzzing about which film to see and I had already done my research. Whale Rider was my definite first choice. We practically ran off the shuttle to be sure to get good seats. And to make it even more exciting, Cliff Curtis introduced the film and gave a welcome in Maori. The film had it's funny moments (a powerful anti-smoking message) and many painful moments as well. But the portrayal of Paikea, the surviving twin of a tragic birth, was so touching. The actress who played her (I was so taken with her performance I can't believe I didn't remember her name) was so vulnerable yet strong at the same time. This is a story about granddaughters and grandfathers, fathers and sons, and how one little girl had the power to save her people. There were so many metaphors, I can't even begin to go into the depth of the film, and the characters were so tragic yet carried the glimmer of hope like the last ember of a fire. Like Once Were Warriors, it shows a gloomy picture of the Maori people, but Whale Rider also shows a community pulling together to resurrect their glory of the past. This community holds onto its traditions when so many others have let them go.
Cliff Curtis, although only in the film briefly, plays an amazing supporting character as he has done in so many other films. I overheard a woman talking to him afterwards saying she was so pleased to see him play a good guy. I was more affected by the emotion he displayed in his limited role. I thought it was so great that he was there to speak about the film and he was gracious to all who approached him after the film. He obviously feels strongly about the messages in the film and wants to see it do well in this country. Apparently it has been very successful so far in New Zealand.
I was affected most by the elements of the movie that focused on the children. I am a middle school counselor and I see so many of my students without hope, motivation or even concern about their future. To see this film, especially the part when Kuro, the chief, starts his school for first born sons, showing boys learning how to be men and how their own lost fathers began to change by seeing what their boys had accomplished gave me the motivation to continue trying to reach my lost students. I really hope this film is released here so I can send my students to go see it.
We also saw Hypnotic, starring Goran Visnjic (sp?) which was creepy, an interesting story, but obviously not a strong follower to Whale Rider for me. It was entertaining and the star just might have found his way out of the ER niche, definitely holding his own as a leading man.
So there you have it, just one chick's opinion!
Sincerely,
Middle School Madwoman
Short, sweet, and to the point. Thanks for the report.
"Moriarty" out.
