whale rider film

While this is a patriarchal culture, Nanny never stops prodding Koro to say and do the right thing. She reminds Koro that Pai is capable and strong. She doesn't let Koro speak his mind in the kitchen because the kitchen was hers. Pai continues to subvert gender expectations. She excels at all the things that a boy is supposed to do including fetching the whale tooth. Eventually she rides a whale which finally convinces Koro to see beyond his narrow point of view.