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WHALE RIDER SHOOTS TO NUMBER TWO IN AUSTRALIA
MEDIA RELEASE: 14 MAY 2003

Whale Rider, the South Pacific Pictures-produced feature film, directed by Niki Caro, is taking Australia by storm, leaping into second place at the box office after its first weekend of general release.

The film opened nationwide in Australia on Thursday, taking A$1.12 million across the weekend, putting it in second place behind X-Men 2.

Whale Rider is distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Buena Vista International (Australia), and is represented internationally by The Works.

“Whale Rider has an emotional impact and visual power that makes it unforgettable,” says Alan Finney, Managing Director of Buena Vista International (Australia). “The film continues to do wonderfully in New Zealand, where it is number four at the box office after 15 weeks in release. We are delighted to bring this film to Australia. It is destined to become a true classic.”

South Pacific Pictures Managing Director and Whale Rider producer, John Barnett says “The Audience Awards Whale Rider has won around the world highlight its universal appeal. The reception from Australian audiences confirms that.”

Whale Rider opens in the United States on June 6, and around the world from July to September.