by MATTHEW HAYS

Fans of the remarkable Once Were Warriors, the ’94 hit from New Zealand, may be a bit leery of Whale Rider, another Kiwi success story that’s netted a few awards on the film fest circuit. The first film, after all, was a pretty bloody heavy film to get through, complete with abused children, suicide, as well as a cross-section of hardships New Zealand’s native population face.

But Whale Rider, though not without its occasional heavy bits, isn’t nearly so depressing. That isn’t to say that it avoids the truth, it’s just that it’s a significantly less violent story. Based on a bestselling novel which in turn was based on a 1,000-year-old Maori legend, Whale Rider stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as Pai, a feisty 12-year-old Maori girl born of tragedy. After childbirth, Pai’s mother and twin brother died immediately. Pai is left in the long shadow made by such severe emotional circumstances; her father, devastated by the death of her mother, leaves New Zealand. Pai is to be brought up by her grandparents.

And gramps (played by vet Maori actor Rawiri Paratene) isn’t exactly what you’d call easygoing. Bound by Maori traditions, he’s entirely uncomfortable with Pai’s natural-born leadership skills and her talents. Women are just not fit to be spiritual or political leaders in this Maori tribe - at least according to gramps. He tersely turns away her every effort to become a leader. Women, as far as he sees it, should head directly to the back of the bus.

Whale Rider is pleasingly bare-bones in terms of its storytelling. Much of the film’s charm is found in its gorgeous camera work, the simple way its narrative unfolds, and the tender bravura of the performances (in particular Castle-Hughes, who rules the film).

Filmmaker Niki Caro has crafted a charming feature, that oddity that manages to be both lighthearted without being lightheaded, a crowdpleaser that doesn’t try to stoop to a lowest common denominator to achieve its popularity. That makes Whale Rider a welcome turn, without a doubt.

Whale Rider opens Friday, June 20

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