Tinā: Weaving together human stories of love, loss, and healing

Pasifika cloaked in stunning puletasi, sei, and ie faitaga have packed Auckland’s CBD for the screening of Tinā, the first leg of premieres staged in Aotearoa New Zealand.

A vibrant evening of celebration, storytelling, creativity, and culture has brought families together to Queen Street’s Civic Theatre.

Since the trailer dropped in October 2024, audiences have been emotional and eager to finally see the film hit cinemas.

Tinā follows the story of Sāmoan teacher Mareta Percival, played by Anapela Polata’ivao, who is navigating life following her daughter’s devastating death in the Christchurch earthquakes.

On the red carpet, Polata’ivao says in its essence, it is a story of human connection and learning.

“The film is quite spiritual, it's about real connectivity among humans and that everything that happens, happens for a reason. And that there are lessons learned in life,” Polata’ivao says.

“For the main character, especially for me it was a lesson in letting go and to find redemption and to find healing.

“This is what we’re all out here to watch is this story being told about humans.”

Written, directed, and co-produced by Miki Magasiva the film is a dedication to his late brother and on-screen star Pua Magasiva.

Parts of the storyline is inspired by real life, where a choir performs a pese Sāmoa at New Zealand choral event The Big Sing.

“It’s a story of healing, love, community, and hope,” Magasiva says in an interview with NiuFm’s The Morning Shack.

“Hopefully, it will strike a few emotional chords with audiences out there.”

Beulah Koale plays the role of Sio, the devoted and cheeky nephew to Percival and describes the film as “proud, dedication, and no money”.

“We had no money baby but we still told a mean story and a whole bunch of people turned up and I feel like our people are represented really well,” Koale says.

“Yeah, I’ve been to heaps of these but this one’s very special because I’ve never seen one where it’s just filled with our people.

Tinā director Miki Magasiva and actress Anapela Polata’ivao. Photo/NZ Film Commission

“My aunties and uncles and I recognise everyone here, so honestly it’s a dream.”

Koale’s character in particular is written in remembrance of the late Pua Magasiva, and he says he leaned on Miki to truly honour his brother.

“It was dedicated to Pua Magasiva and Miki wrote this going through that traumatic time in his life but he used this to celebrate and as an aspiration.

“If anything it was really hard to do the comedy bits ‘coz I’m really terrible at comedy.

“So, I just asked Miki to tell me exactly how to do it.”

This is Polata’ivao’s first lead role in a film, having generally played the comedic relief type of character.

Both she and her husband have worked in theatre and the film industry for over 30 years, and have been particularly pivotal in mentoring young Pacific on-screen talents.

She says initially her part in Tinā was behind the scenes. “The whole way through he (Miki Magasiva) is like, just come help me with the story.

“Then they get the green light, ‘would you like to go and act in the story?’ A’e.”

Veteran broadcaster Taualeo’o Stephen Stehlin attended the Auckland screening and says he is excited about the high rating from rotten tomatoes.

“I’ve just returned from a documentary film festival and I’m sure that if this film was there it would win everything.

“It’s lovely to see all our friends and family here at the Civic. You can’t underestimate how difficult it is to get a feature made because you’ve got to get a lot of money together.”

Taualeo’o congratulated Magasiva, co-producer Mario Gaoa, and Polata’ivao on bringing to life an incredible project.

“We’ve seen her (Polata’ivao) in lots of comedic roles but this is a dramatic role and on top of that my mother taught her when she was a child at Holy Cross School in Papatoetoe.

“I’m excited to see her full potential. She’s always been very generous and helping others but she’s the star tonight.”

Award-winning rapper and poet Melodownz says the film is for Pacific, by Pacific.

“For us, by us. I feel like it’s such a beautiful thing celebrating colour, culture, and storytelling. That’s what I’m here for.”

Emerging actor Antonia Robinson, who plays the teenage female lead character Sophia Sinclair, says she channeled her “inner sad girl” to portray the emotionally complex character.

Tinā co-producers Mario Gaoa, Miki Magasiva, and Dan Higgins. Photo/Supplied

She describes the film as “heartfelt, meaningful, funny, and emotional”.

The first few scenes of Tinā reveal a final conversation between mother and daughter, moments before tragedy struck.

“You never know when you may not have your mum or your daughter anymore and so it’s very important to speak to each other with love,” Robinson says.

Robinson, who is due to be wed next week, handmade her Pacific inspired red carpet gown and says she feels nothing but love and support from everyone.

“Overwhelmed in a good way,” she says. “There’s just so much support and so much love for this piece of beautiful art that finally gets to see a movie screen.

Beulah Koale, Antonia Robinson, Anapela Polata'ivao, and Miki Magasiva. Photo/Supplied

“At high school there was always a Sāmoan and Pasifika community and these girls were amazing and I never felt like I could fully relate to them but now being folded into this film I feel so at home and so loved and supported.”

Actor Semu Filipo also attended the events and is encouraged by more Pacific creatives, who are continuing to take the film industry by storm.

“It’s been on the cards for a while so I'm really happy to come and support the uso and to see Belz,” Filipo says.

“She’s the queen, man. If we just keep writing our stories, stay passionate, stay creative, and just tell our stories I’m sure we’ll be OK. It’s our time, it has to be our time.”

Tinā premieres in Christchurch on 12 February, Wellington on the 18th, before screening in Sāmoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands and hits cinemas on 27 February.