Dec 24th
Whale Rider**
New Zealand/Ger 2002. South Pacific Pictures/ApolloMedia/Pandora/New Zealand Production Fund/New Zealand Film Commission. 101m.

In present-day New Zealand, the saviour of the Maori tribe turns out to be a girl.
Thoughtfully crafted and intelligent semi-mystical drama, weaving family melodrama with observation of contemporary Maori society, beautifully photographed with some fine performances.

Written and Directed by: Niki Caro, from the novel by Witi Ihimaera.
Producers: Tim Sanders, John Barnett, Frank Hübner.
Starring: Keisha-Castle Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Cliff Curtis, Vicky Haughton, Grant Roa, Mana Taumanu.
Photography: Leon Harbey.
Music: Lisa Gerrard.

Preceded by:
Father Christmas*
(GB 1991. Blooming Productions/TVC London/Channel 4. 26m.; Annual adventures of a caustic Santa Claus grumpily sifting through the mountain of mail in between holidays. Not as funny as the original books, but with some touching moments.; w: Dianne Jackson, Michael Adams, based on "Father Christmas" and "Father Christmas Goes on Holiday" by Raymond Briggs; d: Dave Unwin; voice of Mel Smith; m: Mike Hewer.)