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Title: There was no joy when I was born.
Review: I am sure there are many levels & cultural themes to this rich movie that I am missing. However, what struck me powerfully was Pai's (the main character) courage & fraility as she faced a life of blame for something she had no control over. Her grandfather, leader of the Maori tribe in New Zealand, was waiting for a first-born male to lead his people out of poverty & discouragement and into the glory the culture once had. His first-born son refused this role, and so he awaited his first-born grandson. However, this grandson died at birth, as did the mother. Pai - the twin sister - survived. And while she had enough spirit to win over her grandfather's affection & love, she could never erase his blame & disappointment that she was the one that lived. The ultimat triumph in the movie leaves a lasting sense of hope & healing. This movie does an amazing job at showing how complex & dangerous & necessary love, pain, hope and expectations are.
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