It’s hard to make a great film.  It’s even harder to make a successful one.  In a world where box-office is still below pre-pandemic levels and Hollywood blockbusters take a large chunk of cinema screens, it’s difficult for a low-budget independent film to get publicity and weave its way into the hearts of audiences.  As an example, The Correspondent is a terrific Aussie drama and yet, in its first weekend of release here, it made just 4% of that compared to A Minecraft Movie (in its third week).

The New Zealand-made Tinā is worth your attention as a feel-good flick but it’s also to be celebrated for breaking through commercially.  Released in late February 2025, it has generated $5 million in local ticket sales and is now the 6^th highest grossing Kiwi film in history.  For those interested, the five films ahead of it are Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Boy, The World’s Fastest Indian, Once Were Warriors, and Whale Rider.  Good company if you ask me!

Tinā is the tale of a Mareta Percival (Polataivao), a Samoan New Zealand woman who has accepted the role as a substitute teacher at a posh religious school.  Her colourful attire and progressive views create tension with the school board, but she soon becomes popular with a group of students in need in support.  Mareta brings them together and, much to the chagrin of the sabotaging Deputy Headmaster (Irvine), she starts a school choir to help them find their voice, physically and metaphorically.

The film is reminiscent of Mr. Holland’s Opus, Music of the Heart and School of Rock as it’s about a teacher’s efforts to instil a love of music in their students.  I realise this film has been immensely popular, but it uses too many cliches for my liking.  There’s zero nuance when it comes to the Deputy Headmaster and sports coach who are almost cartoonish with their over-the-top villainy.  Then you’ve got characters like the budding star of the rugby side (O’Meagher) who turns his back on the sport because he suddenly wants to sing instead.

That said, the film works is because of the wonderful lead performance of star Anapela Polataivao.  She’s created a fun, feisty leading character who we fall in love with because of past tragedies in her life, and how she’s prepared to stand up against the school’s bigwigs.  Mareta is not a perfect person though and writer-director Miki Magasiva spices up the script by showing how self-pity sometimes works against her.

Not afraid to push darker elements, Tinā is a likeable film that celebrates Samoan culture, puts a smile on your face, and showcases beautiful choir voices.