Whale Rider (2002)

Eight-year-old Kahu, a member of the Maori tribe of Whangara, New Zealand,

fights to prove  leadership. Her people claim descent from Kahutia Te Rangi, the

legendary "whale rider." In every generation a male heir has

inherited the title of chief. But now there is no male heir, and the

aging chief is desperate to find a successor. When hundreds of

whales beach themselves and threaten the future of the Maori tribe,

it is Kahu who saves the tribe when she reveals that she has the

whale rider's ancient gift of communicating with whales.

Probably one of the best movies I've ever seen.