Tinā is a 2024 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Miki Magasiva. It stars Anapela Polataivao as a dissatisfied substitute teacher, recently bereaved after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake killed her daughter. She begins to work at an elite private school and starts a student choir.[1] The film premiered at the Hawaii International Film Festival on 8 October 2024,[2] and is scheduled for national release on 27 February 2025.[3]
| Tinā | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Miki Magasiva |
| Written by | Miki Magasiva |
| Produced by | Miki Magasiva Dan Higgins |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Andrew McGeorge |
| Edited by | Luke Haigh |
| Music by | |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Madman Entertainment |
Release date | 8 October 2024 |
Running time | 122 minutes |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Languages | English and Samoan |
| Budget | NZ$4,300,000 |
Synopsis
"Struggling after the death of her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, Mareta reluctantly takes on the role of substitute teacher at an elite, all-white private school and is surprised to find supposedly privileged children crying out for guidance, inspiration, and love. Using the symphony of her culture to empower her students, she forms a choir. Mareta has to inspire her kids all while dealing with bias from a privileged community keen to put this colorful Samoan teacher in her place" - Hawaii International Film Festival.[4]
Production
The film was a joint production between The Brown Factory and the New Zealand Film Commission. The film was shot on location between September and October 2023.[5] Despite being set in Christchurch, it was also filmed in Auckland.[6]
The choir music was written and arranged by Tuilagi Dr. Igelese Ete, who previously worked on the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Moana.[7]
References
- ^ "TINĀ | HIFF | Hawai'i International Film Festival". Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Utanga, Antonia (2024-10-08). "Samoan Kiwi film Tinā opens international film festival". TP+. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Soest, Sophie van. "NZ film 'Tinā' tells Samoan teacher's moving story after loss in CHCH earthquake". www.rova.nz. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "TINĀ | HIFF | Hawai'i International Film Festival". Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "Feature Film Tinā Goes Into Production". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "Feature Film Tinā Goes Into Production". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "Feature Film Tinā Goes Into Production". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 2024-10-24.