Tina (2024) by Miki Magasiva: A Mother's Song of Healing
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 1
- 7 min read
Short Summary: Finding Harmony After Heartbreak
Tina is a moving drama about Mareta Percival, a Samoan teacher who is grieving the loss of her daughter in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. In an attempt to find purpose again, she reluctantly accepts a substitute teaching position at a rigid and predominantly white private school. There, she discovers a group of students struggling with their own traumas and insecurities. Using the power of her Samoan culture and a love of music, she forms a choir, bringing them together and, in the process, beginning her own journey of healing.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29120447/
Link Review: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/01/tina-review-a-feel-good-choir-drama-that-follows-a-winning-formula
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/tina-2025 (Australia)
Detailed Summary: A Choir's Journey to The Big Sing
In "Tina," Mareta Percival, a Samoan New Zealander, is a teacher who has been deeply affected by the death of her daughter in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Overcome with grief, she has lost her sense of purpose.
A New Beginning: Years later, her nephew convinces her to take a job as a substitute teacher at a prestigious private school, St. Francis. The school is a stark contrast to her own cultural background and values.
A New Calling: With the school lacking a choir, Mareta gets permission to start one. She brings together a diverse group of students, many of whom are dealing with their own personal struggles beneath their privileged exteriors.
Cultural Clash and Mentorship: Mareta uses her Samoan musical traditions and a no-nonsense teaching style to inspire the students. She becomes a mentor, particularly to a student named Sophie who has a hidden talent for singing but is dealing with her own trauma.
Facing Opposition: The choir faces opposition from a prejudiced deputy principal who favors the school's rugby program and sees Mareta as a threat. The choir also encounters racism and prejudice from within the school community.
A Final Performance: Despite her own failing health and increasing challenges, Mareta is determined to lead her students to the "Big Sing" national competition. Her journey with the choir not only helps the students find their voices but also allows her to reconnect with her own identity and find peace.
Director's Vision: A Love Letter to Mothers and Culture
Miki Magasiva, in his feature film directorial debut, sought to create a deeply personal and meaningful story.
Honoring Mothers: Magasiva's primary motivation for the film was to create a tribute to his own mother and, by extension, all Pasifika mothers who have made sacrifices for their families. The film is a "love letter" to their strength and resilience.
The Power of Storytelling: Magasiva, who co-founded "The Brown Factory" to champion Pasifika stories, aimed to showcase the unique and beautiful aspects of Samoan culture and identity. He wanted to prove to the film industry that Pacific stories are worth investing in.
Balancing Tone: The director's vision was to balance serious and emotional themes like death, grief, and illness with moments of humor and joy, reflecting the reality of life and cultural experiences.
Themes: Grief, Healing, and Cultural Identity
"Tina" explores a number of significant themes through its heartfelt narrative.
Grief and Healing: The film's central theme is the journey of healing after loss. Mareta's grief over her daughter's death is a constant presence, and her work with the choir becomes a form of therapy, allowing her to process her pain and find a new purpose.
Cultural Identity and Connection: The movie highlights the importance of Samoan culture, music, and community. Mareta uses her heritage to inspire and connect with her students, bridging the gap between her own background and the students' privileged, often disconnected, lives.
Generational and Social Divide: The film explores the clash between different generations and social classes in New Zealand. The contrast between Mareta's humble background and the elite private school setting brings to light issues of racism and prejudice, as well as the universal need for human connection and understanding.
Key Success Factors: A Heartfelt Story and a Powerful Performance
"Tina" has achieved significant success, both critically and commercially, due to several key factors.
Authentic and Relatable Storytelling: The film's success lies in its ability to tell an authentic and emotionally resonant story that transcends cultural boundaries. While specific to the Samoan-New Zealand experience, the themes of grief, healing, and the power of mentorship are universally relatable.
Anapela Polataivao's Lead Performance: The central performance by Anapela Polataivao as Mareta has been widely praised as nuanced, powerful, and captivating. Her portrayal of the grieving but resilient teacher is the heart of the film.
The Power of Music: Music is a central element of the film, and the choir performances are a key part of its emotional impact. The film effectively uses song to convey emotions, foster community, and drive the narrative forward.
Commercial Success: The film's success at the box office, becoming one of the highest-grossing Kiwi films of all time, demonstrates its strong connection with local audiences and its ability to compete with major blockbusters.
Awards & Nominations: A Critical and Commercial Hit
The film "Tina" has been recognized for its quality and impact. It was chosen as the opening night film for the 2024 Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. The film has also achieved significant commercial success in its home country, becoming the sixth-highest grossing New Zealand film of all time, demonstrating its strong audience appeal and positive reception.
Critics Reception: A Moving, Flawed, but Essential Film
Critics have offered a generally positive, though sometimes mixed, reception to "Tina."
Radio New Zealand: Simon Morris gave "Tina" a positive review, calling it "full of comedy, tragedy, conflict, inspiration and it has to be said, some generous dollops of schmaltz." He praised Miki Magasiva's writing and direction, as well as Anapela Polataivao's portrayal of Mareta. He also highlighted the effective plot of Mareta bonding with the "uptight, rich Pākehā children."
The Film Pie: The reviewer acknowledged the film's popularity and success, comparing it to other uplifting teacher-student films like "Mr. Holland's Opus." The review praised the lead performance by Anapela Polataivao but critiqued the use of certain clichés, particularly the "cartoonish" villainy of the deputy headmaster.
Reddit (r/newzealand): A discussion on Reddit showed a range of opinions. Some users felt the script was not fully developed and that the film crammed too many storylines in, citing the abrupt introduction of Mareta's cancer. Others, however, defended the film's blunt portrayal of racism and personal tragedy, arguing that these elements felt very real to their experiences and that it was a much-needed platform for Pacific humor and culture.
Overall Summary: Critics and audiences largely agree that the film's greatest strength is the central performance by Anapela Polataivao and its heartfelt, emotional core. While some felt the script could be overly formulaic or heavy-handed with its dramatic elements, the film's celebration of Samoan culture and its powerful message of hope and healing resonated strongly, leading to both critical praise and commercial success.
Reviews: An Emotional and Authentic Experience
Reviews for "Tina" have largely echoed the critical reception, highlighting the film's emotional impact and cultural significance.
Flicks.co.nz: This review described "Tina" as a deeply personal "love letter" to mothers and Pasifika people. It praised Miki Magasiva for his ability to weave together humor and painful emotion, noting that the film takes the viewer on an emotional ride. The review particularly highlighted the cultural collision between Mareta and the students, finding their interactions both hilarious and deeply touching.
Andrew Whiteside: The review called the film a "tender look at tragedy" and a "charming, funny and deeply emotional film." It emphasized the stunning and nuanced performance of Anapela Polataivao, and noted how the film explores complex issues of grief, racism, and identity, ultimately showing that true healing happens through shared stories and openness to other cultures.
Overall Summary: The reviews consistently praise the film for its emotional depth and the powerful performance of its lead actress. The movie is seen as a successful and important portrayal of Samoan culture and a moving story of finding connection and healing through music and community.
Why to recommend movie: A Journey of Heart, Humor, and Song
For a Powerful and Emotional Story: "Tina" is a deeply moving film that tackles universal themes of grief, loss, and finding a new purpose in life. It's a tear-jerker with a lot of heart that will stay with you long after it's over.
To Experience Samoan Culture: The movie is a beautiful celebration of Samoan culture, music, and family values. It offers a window into a perspective not often seen on the big screen and highlights the power of culture to heal and unite people.
For an Outstanding Lead Performance: Anapela Polataivao's portrayal of Mareta is a masterclass in acting. Her performance is the anchor of the film, and it's worth watching for her nuanced and emotional delivery alone.
As an Uplifting and Feel-Good Film: Despite its heavy themes, "Tina" is ultimately an inspiring and uplifting film. It's a reminder of the power of community, mentorship, and music to overcome adversity and bring people together.
Movie Trend: The Inspirational Teacher Story
The film is following the well-established "inspirational teacher" movie trend. This genre, which includes films like "Mr. Holland's Opus" and "Dead Poets Society," focuses on a dedicated and unconventional teacher who uses their passion to change the lives of their students, often in a challenging or rigid institutional setting. "Tina" fits this mold perfectly, but adds a unique cultural perspective by centering a Samoan teacher and her musical traditions.
Social Trend: The Rise of Pasifika Voices
"Tina" is part of a growing and important social trend: the increased representation and amplification of Pasifika stories and voices in mainstream media. The film's success demonstrates a clear demand for authentic, diverse narratives that celebrate the rich cultures of the Pacific Islands. It showcases the importance of cultural identity and the need for stories that reflect the diverse populations of countries like New Zealand and Australia.
Final Verdict: An Essential and Unforgettable Film
"Tina" is a powerful, heartwarming, and culturally significant film that has earned its place as a modern classic in New Zealand cinema. While it may lean on some familiar tropes, its authenticity, outstanding lead performance, and beautiful celebration of Samoan culture make it an essential watch. It's a film that proves the healing power of music, the importance of cultural heritage, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of immense loss. This is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and leave you feeling hopeful.
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