Senior US travel media and tourism industry representatives moved and
impressed by Whale Rider
New Zealand movie Whale Rider has proven a
huge hit at a key screening in America, according to Tourism Minister Mark
Burton.
Mr Burton is in the US promoting New Zealand to the travel and tourism
industry.
Niki Caro's film of the Witi Ihimaera story is set in a remote fishing village
on the North Island's East Coast, and features movie newcomer Keisha
Castle-Hughes as the heir to the leadership of Ngati Kanohi - except that the
heir is supposed to be male.
Mark Burton says a special pre-release screening of Whale Rider was held in
New York City on Thursday night, before a group of senior travel media and
tourism industry representatives.
Mr Burton says the audience was overwhelmingly moved and impressed by the
movie.
The movie has already hit the number two spot in Australia on its first
weekend after opening, taking $1.27 million, putting it just behind X-Men 2.
Whale Rider opens to the public in the US on June 6 and around the rest of the
world between July and September.
© 2003 NZCity, IRN