Whale Rider

In a small New Zealand coastal village, in every generation, a male heir born to the Chief succeeds to the title. Koro is now the Chief. His eldest son, Porourangi, fathers twins - a boy and a girl. But the boy and his mother die in childbirth. The surviving girl is named Pai. The grief-stricken father leaves her to the grand-parents, and leaves the vilage. 12 years later, when Pai's father, Porourangi, returns home, Koro hopes everything is resolved and Porourangi will accept destiny and become his successor. But Porourangi has no intention of becoming Chief. Meanwhile, deep within the ocean, a massive herd of whales is responding, drawn towards Pai and their twin destinies. When the whales become stranded on the beach, Koro is sure this signals an apocalyptic end to his tribe. Until one person prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the people. The Whale Rider.