Whale Rider' Screening Part of Women's History Month

SALISBURY, MD---Dr. Elsie Walker, Salisbury University English faculty, presents and discusses the New Zealand film Whale Rider 7 p.m. Thursday, March 10, in Fulton Hall Room 111.

Whale Rider, written and directed by Niki Caro, is an adaptation of a novel written by Witi Ihimaera about a young girl who battles hundreds of years patriarchal tradition in tribal New Zealand society to become the next chief. The film is perhaps the first to be respected as an authentic vision of New Zealand as well as attaining international success.

Whale Rider has won numerous awards, including best film and prizes in eight other categories at the New Zealand Film and Television Awards. It was voted best feature film at the British Academy Children’s Film and Television Awards and has been honored at the Toronto, Sundance, Seattle, Rotterdam and San Francisco film festivals with People’s Choice awards.

Walker is co-director of the English department’s film studies program. She is also editor-in-chief for the Literature/Film Quarterly, SU’s international adaptation studies journal.

The screening of this film is held in conjunction with SU’s Women’s History Month celebration. The screening is free and the public is invited. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu. "