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30/01/2003 Drama, Family 1h 41m
70
User score

In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.

Overview

A contemporary story of love, rejection, and triumph as a young Māori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.

  1. Niki Caro

    Director

Top billed cast

  1. Keisha Castle-Hughes

    Paikea Apirana

  2. Rawiri Paratene

    Koro

  3. Vicky Haughton

    Nanny Flowers

  4. Cliff Curtis

    Porourangi

  5. Grant Roa

    Uncle Rawiri

  6. Mana Taumaunu

    Hemi

  7. Rachel House

    Shilo

  8. Taungaroa Emile

    Willie

  9. Tammy Davis

    Dog

  10. View more

Full Cast & Crew

Reviews

A review by CinemaSerf
Written by CinemaSerf on 2026-02-13
In a cinematic world where tens of millions can be dropped on big names, endless CGI and mediocre writing it’s nice to come across something that strips back the story and the characterisations to something more natural. This is one such film. The Whangara people have lived their way, in their community, since long before New Zealand came into being as a nation and all based on the legend of “Paikea” and his chieftain descendants. It is into this patriarchy that “Pai” (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is born but as she grows up she is prohibited by her grandfather “Koro” (Rawiri Paratene) ...read the rest
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Status
Released

Original Language
English

Budget
$8,000,000.00

Revenue
$41,400,000.00

Keywords