Lights, Camera, Discuss!

Do you love movies? Do you find yourself turning scenes over in your mind long after the credits roll? Are you eager to talk about what a film meant, how it made you feel, or what the director was trying to say? If so, the Library Movie Club was made for you.

Each month, we select a thought-provoking film for our community to watch on their own — then come together at the library for a lively, open-ended discussion. No critics, no wrong answers. Just great conversation between people who love great storytelling.

How It Works

1.Watch the month's featured film at home, on your own schedule.

2.Borrow a copy from the library — free with your library card!

3.Join us at the library for our monthly discussion — share your thoughts, hear other perspectives, and enjoy a wonderful conversation with fellow film enthusiasts.

🎬Borrow the Film from the Library

Copies of Whale Rider are available to borrow with your library card — free of charge. Stop by the circulation desk or ask a librarian to hold a copy for you.

All movie lovers welcome — no membership or sign-up required. Just watch the film and come ready to talk!

For more information, ask at the library front desk.

About the Film

Whale Rider is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted film set among the Maori people of coastal New Zealand. At its heart is Pai (Paikea), a spirited twelve-year-old girl who believes she is destined to be the next great chief of her tribe — a role that, according to ancient tradition, belongs only to men.

Her grandfather, Koro, is the current chief and a man bound tightly to tradition. Blind to Pai's exceptional gifts, he searches in vain among the village boys for a worthy heir. Yet Pai refuses to give up — secretly learning the sacred chants and warrior skills forbidden to her, driven by an unshakeable sense of purpose.

Adapted from Witi Ihimaera's beloved novel, Whale Rider is a story about identity, heritage, gender, and the courage it takes to forge your own path. With a breathtaking performance by young Keisha Castle-Hughes, the film earned widespread critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination. It is tender, powerful, and unforgettable.