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🟦Doing Something New: Seeing Tina the movie

 


Tinā is a 2024 New Zealand drama film that has garnered significant attention for its heartfelt storytelling and cultural resonance.

🎬 Overview

  • Title: Tinā (Samoan for "mother")

  • Director & Writer: Miki Magasiva (directorial debut)

  • Genre: Drama, Comedy

  • Languages: English and Samoan

  • Runtime: 124 minutes

  • Budget: NZ$4.3 million

  • Release Dates:

    • World Premiere: October 8, 2024, at the Hawai’i International Film Festival

    • New Zealand Theatrical Release: February 27, 2025

📖 Plot Summary
Set during the aftermath of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the story follows Mareta Percival, a Samoan New Zealander and primary school teacher whose daughter tragically dies during the earthquake. Struggling with grief and her faith, Mareta tries to rebuild her life.

In 2014, Mareta becomes a substitute teacher at a prestigious school, St Francis School. She helps a group of students form a choir and prepares them for the national Big Sing competition. Despite obstacles — including opposition from school leadership and her own terminal illness — Mareta inspires her students to believe in themselves.
The choir wins the competition on the same night Mareta peacefully passes away, leaving a legacy of love, perseverance, and hope.

👥 Cast

  • Anapela Polataivao as Mareta Percival

  • Antonia Robinson as Sophie

  • Beulah Koale as Sio

  • Nicole Whippy as Rona

  • Dalip Sondhi as Alan Hubbard

  • Jamie Irvine as Peter Wadsworth

  • Alison Bruce as Caroline

  • Talia Pua as Mei-Ling

  • Zac O'Meagher as Anthony Bull

  • Tania Nolan as Helen

  • Matthew Chamberlain as Father McAfee

  • Caleb Nazzer as Luke

🎵 Music & Production

  • Music composed by Sebastien Pan and Tuilagi Dr. Igelese Ete

  • Produced by The Brown Factory and Tu Fa'atasi Films

  • Funded by the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand Screen Production Grant, and NZ On Air

  • Filmed mainly in Auckland (story set in Christchurch) in September–October 2023

🌍 Reception & Awards

  • Premiered at the Hawai’i International Film Festival (Opening Night Film)

  • Won Best Narrative Feature Audience Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival

  • Also screened at Māoriland Film Festival and Birrarangga Film Festival

  • Critics praised it for emotional depth, warmth, and cultural authenticity

🎥 Trailer
Watch the trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p39afPLXALw

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