By Stephen Dowling BBC News Online entertainment staff

The story revolves around Pai and her grandfather's troubled relationship

Whale Rider, a New Zealand film about a young Maori girl's battle to win her grandfather's respect, has been a critical hit at film festivals this year.

Whale Rider has become the biggest locally-made film in New Zealand of recent years - apart from Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings instalments, of course.

But Whale Rider - save some moments of abstract, surreality - is a much more conventional story than the Tolkien trilogy.

Based on a novella by the respected Maori writer Witi Ihimaera, the film, the second by newcomer film-maker Niki Caro, touches on teenage awakening, tradition, a sense of place and destiny, using some stunning New Zealand coastline to full effect.

Have your say on the film

Eleven-year-old Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is the grand-daughter of her tribe's leader, the irascible Koro (Rawiri Paratene). The tribe live on the east coast of the North Island, in beautiful surroundings but rapidly losing their way. To Koro it is a crisis.

Castle-Hughes carries the film with a great performance

Pai's twin brother died in childbirth - along with her mother - and her heart-broken father left her as he travelled the world as an artist. Her relationship with her grandfather has been fraught to say the least - he blames her for the death of the rightful heir.

It leaves Pai as the tribe's leader-in-waiting, but Koro cannot accept a woman as his heir.

Tantalising legend

When Pai's father, Porourangi (Cliff Curtis) returns, Pai has to decide between moving to Europe or staying with her tribe, and the winning of her grandfather's admiration.

Intertwined with this is her growing respect for her tribe's past, and her desire to lead it into the future. And then there is the tantalising legend of the whale rider - the mythical chieftain who rode on the back of the whale after being lost at sea.

Castle-Hughes is wonderful as Pai, and her character's "awakening" is interesting - it is not a an awareness of her sexuality but of her identity and responsibility, an aspect very rarely dealt with in films.

From Vincent Ward's gloomily magnificent Vigil to the pastoral Maori drama Ngati, Whale Rider fits into a list of strongly characterful stories set in rural New Zealand.

Its success already shows that New Zealand's local film-makers need not be preoccupied with sword fights and mythical rings to seek international acclaim.

Whale Rider is out in the UK now.

Have you see Whale Rider? What did you think of it? This debate is now closed. Please see below for a selection of your comments.

So special! The myth and the modern collide in a wonderful meaningful story. Touching and humorous on so many levels, the young, rather insignificant girl child becomes the real master teacher. To me, this was the tale of love, family, spiritualism and the learning of self and responsibility. I love this story.
Barbara Klein, Arizona, USA

I can't remember the last time a film gave me goosebumps and a tear to the eye. This is a raw, passionate film with the most extraordinary child performance since Anna Paquin in The Piano. Hugely recommended.
Tim, UK

The most complete film I have seen in many a year. Very enchanting. Pencil in Keisha Castle-Hughes for an Oscar nomination now.
Bill, USA

Brilliant - so simple and natural yet so uplifting and heart-warming. Castle-Hughes was perfect for the role. I definitely recommend this film.
Natasha Grimmer, United Kingdom

A little movie with a big heart. Beautifully shot and terrific acting from Castle-Hughes, who should get a nod from Oscar. Guaranteed to flush out your tear ducts.
Rob, New Zealand

A simple and beautiful film that made my heart soar. Keisha Castle-Hughes was heartbreaking as Pai. I loved it.
J, UK

A true gem, a must see movie. Keisha, I agree is superb, but so too were so many of the smaller cameo roles, which made the whole movie so memorable... It is still on mind one week on. Rawiri Paretene's on screen presence is so powerful. So moved by the dilemma of the whales. Scenery stunning. Will be going back to see it for a second time!
Alison , United Kingdom, UK