Continuity mistake: During the scene on the beach (with the beached whales), right after Paka has learned that it was his granddaughter that brought back the whale's tooth, there are two shots of him from the same angle with one in between. In the first shot on the hill far behind him there are two people standing there, yet in the second shot they are gone.
Whale Rider (2002)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: Niki Caro
Starring: Cliff Curtis, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton
Pai climbs on top of the largest beached whale and urges it back into the sea, presumably leading the other whales. She rides it well out to sea, narrating that she has no fear of death. However, in the next scene her family is waiting for her to wake up in the hospital and her grandfather has finally gained respect for her. Soon later, there is a celebration as the people set Pai's father's boat (now completed) into the ocean. Pai's father has returned, along with his new girlfriend/wife, and Pai speaks of hope for the future.
Zac
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Answer: No, she doesn't die. Summary from Wikipedia: Paikia climbs onto the back of the largest whale and coaxes it to re-enter the ocean. The whale leads the whale pod back into the sea; Paikia submerges completely underwater before being thrown off the whale's back by the tide. The spectators fear she has drowned. When Paikia is found alive and brought to the hospital, her grandfather, Koro, declares her the new tribal chief. At the end, Paikia and her family are on the beach, watching the completed canoe being launched into the sea for its maiden voyage.
raywest ★