NZ Film ‘Tinā’ Proves Singing’s Power to Heal

From Sister Act to The Fighting Temptations and The Sapphires, there’s something about singing – especially in choirs – that breaks down pretention and bonds people.

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New Zealand film Tinā has set a record for the widest release of a New Zealand film, screening across 128 locations in the Pacific with a distinctly Polynesian story about a woman who finds, and offers, healing through song.

Struggling after the death of her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, Mareta (Anapela Polataivao) reluctantly takes on the role of substitute teacher at an elite private school. She’s surprised to find kids who need guidance, confidence and some old-school tough love to inspire them.

Forming a choir, Mareta uses the musical heritage of her culture to empower the students and find her way back to her love of being a mother and teacher.

“Music is very well-known for being a great bonding agent,” Miki told Hope 103.2.

Director Miki Magasiva (We Are Still Here, The Panthers) saw the real-life Choralation Choir perform at New Zealand’s Big Sing competition, and thought “it would make a great premise for a film”.

“Music is very well-known for being a great bonding agent,” Miki told Hope 103.2.

“It’s a uniting force in whatever culture you look at – especially Samoan culture.”

“Voice is key to unlocking emotions,” Anapela said.

“Sometimes we’re petrified to hear ourselves, we’re petrified of our own voice and fear that something else may escape from deep within.”

Making over $1million in its opening weekend, Tinā now has the third-biggest opening of any NZ film, sitting behind Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Sione’s 2: Unfinished Business.

Much like Miki’s previous projects, Tinā’s strength is that it highlights untold stories of Polynesian people and celebrates the uniqueness of their culture.

“Being from Samoa, Aotearoa and indigenous Australia we have an opportunity to have these stories that nobody else in the world gets to tell,” Miki said.

“They’re so unique.”

The Christchurch earthquakes also sit in the consciousness of many New Zealander’s, making Mareta’s story that much more palpable.

Tinā now has the third-biggest opening of any NZ film, sitting behind Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Sione’s 2: Unfinished Business.

“[The earthquakes] are something that we as storytellers can take advantage of,” Miki said. “And use to highlight things that are always present in our communities.

“[Tinā] is a drama, and we want to delve deeper into the challenges that all of our communities have to go through.”

Central to the themes of Tinā is the idea of unity through empathy and offering respect without judgement.

“If we were to embrace activities that were about togetherness,” Miki said. “[That] involved our community as a whole, then I think we’d be better off.”

Tinā is in Australian cinemas May 1.

Featured images: All photos supplied by Madman Entertainment and used with permission.