Each year at SIFF, there’s always one film that sends a cinematic tremor through the festival, sparking anticipation, conversation, and celebration. Last year, it was Ghostlight and Sing Sing. The year before, Past Lives and Dancing Queen. For SIFF’s 51st edition, the first film to step into that spotlight is Miki Magasiva’s Tina. We follow Mareta (Anapela Polataivao), a grieving mother still reeling from the loss of her daughter during the devastating Christchurch earthquake. Three years on, her sorrow remains heavy, until a chance opportunity places her as a substitute teacher at an elite school. There, through her warmth and compassion, she forms an unexpected bond with her students as they gear up for the Big Sing Choir competition. And in guiding them, she begins to find her own way back to life.
Based on the synopsis, Tina follows a familiar path. The high school inspirational drama where a teacher takes a group of students under their wing and creates an atmosphere filled with creativity and intellectualism where their students can be the best version of themselves. This path was forged by films such as School of Rock and Dead Poet Society. This formula is an oldie, but a goodie crowd-pleasing formula. But Tina doesn’t just follow that formula, it builds on it. With layers of heartfelt drama and the rich, resonating pulse of the Samoan culture at its core, the film steps off the beaten path to deliver something deeper. The result is a stirring cinematic tapestry that honors teachers, mothers, and the healing, unifying power of music.
Tina weaves together a rich tapestry of themes such as, classism, racism, grief, healing, and self-discovery into its narrative. It’s a lot to carry, and while some of the film’s commentary can feel a bit one-note or overly spelled out, it’s handled with a sincerity and care that it still resonates. At its core, Tina holds firm to one unshakable truth: music has the power to unite, no matter the barriers of background or belief. And the music, especially the Samoan music, is absolutely breathtaking. At my screening, the theater was filled with members of the Pacific Islander community, and you could feel the emotional current ripple through the room. Tears, silence, connection. The music wasn’t just part of the film, it was its soul. The glue that held everything together.
The other force holding Tina together is the powerhouse performance from Anapela Polataivao. If the film secures U.S. distribution, her name deserves to be in the Best Lead Actress conversation. She commands every frame with a no-nonsense, straight-shooting presence, driven by a fierce desire to give her students the education and guidance they deserve, even if it means challenging the institution she now works for. But what makes her performance so remarkable is what lies beneath that strength. Polataivao threads in moments of softness, quiet sorrow, and genuine care, revealing a woman still deeply mourning her daughter’s death, yet determined to show up for her students in the best way she knows how. It’s a layered, deeply human performance. A true tour de force, and easily one of the standout performances of the year.
Overall, Tina stands tall as one of the year’s most moving films as it is a bittersweet, soul-stirring tribute to mothers, teachers, and the transformative power of music. It’s the kind of film that leaves you teary-eyed but leaves you with a feeling of healing and hope. If you’re a U.S. distributor, please take note: this film has already struck a chord in New Zealand, and it’s more than ready to do the same here. Tina deserves to be seen, heard, and felt by audiences everywhere.
My Rating: A
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