Reviewed by: Philip Moore
“Tina” — which means mother in Samoan — is a beautiful and deeply moving film about Mareta, a Samoan woman played with incredible warmth by Anapela Polataivao. Mareta is a teacher whose life is turned upside down when her daughter tragically dies in the Christchurch earthquake.
Three years on, Mareta finds herself out of work and at risk of losing her benefit. When an unexpected opportunity arises to teach at a wealthy school, she seizes it, even though it’s a far cry from what she’s used to. Determined to make a difference, she starts a choir with her students — a decision that’s met with skepticism from the school’s headmaster. But Mareta’s passion and persistence gradually win him over, and she begins to form strong bonds with her students, particularly Sophie, a girl dealing with her own grief and physical scars from severe burns.
Antonia Robinson delivers a standout performance as Sophie, capturing both vulnerability and quiet strength. The connection between Mareta and Sophie is one of the film’s emotional anchors, and it’s beautifully handled.
The film also does a powerful job of showing Christchurch in the years after the earthquake — the rubble, the emptiness, and the lingering sense of loss. As someone with family members affected by the quake, this hit particularly close to home. Having seen the devastation firsthand, it was emotional to witness it portrayed so honestly on screen.
Despite its heavy themes of grief and trauma, Tina is also filled with humour and heart. The scenes of choir practice — including moments where the kids sing lying on their backs — bring warmth and laughter, and the film never loses sight of hope. The music becomes a unifying force, helping both Mareta and her students find connection, purpose, and healing.
Every member of the cast gets their moment to shine, even the smaller roles. The sense of community, culture, and creativity feels authentic and vibrant, and it all builds to the choir’s entry into a major competition — a classic underdog moment that’s impossible not to root for.
I was lucky enough to see Tina at a red-carpet screening, where the atmosphere was electric. You could feel how much this story meant to the people who made it — and to the audience watching.
A touching bit of trivia: the choir in the film was loosely inspired by the real-life Westlake High School choir, and director Mia Magasava poured his own grief into the film, drawing from the loss of his brother Pua. That personal connection radiates through every frame.
“Tina” is a beautiful story about love, loss, resilience, and the healing power of music and community. It’s filled with heart, humour, and unforgettable performances — and I highly recommend it.
