TINA (MOTHER)

New Zealand, 2025, 124 minutes, Colour.

Anapela Polataivao, Antonia Robinson, Dalip Sondhi, Jamie Irvine

Directed by Miki Magasiva.

A New Zealand film. Setting: Christchurch (and a vivid reminder of the 2019 earthquake). Location: elite St Francis School, Christchurch. Focus, Samoan choir teacher, Mareta. Special feature: a great deal of choral music.

With the title, Tina, it is not the central character’s name. Rather, pronunciation-wise, there is an emphasis on the a of Tina and the parenthesis indicating that it actually means Mother). And the screenplay is very definite at some moments indicating that Samoa is pronounced with the emphasis on the initial a rather than on the o!

Audiences may well anticipate many of the directions in which this film is going, the teacher, her personal tragedies, opportunities at the school, the students and their behaviour, the school authorities, music, choir, the possibilities of participation in a competition. However, there are many variations on the theme as the film progresses, drawing in the audience, sympathies, hopes, enjoyment of the music.

The strength of the film comes from the presence of Samoan-born New Zealand actress, Anapela Polataivo (a presence in a great number of significant New Zealand films and television series). She is a powerful screen presence – demanding of those she comes in contact with, commanding attention, especially of ourselves, the audience.

She plays Mareta, talented with music and singing, encouraging her daughter to do an audition for a scholarship in music to a British university. And then the earthquake. A devastating effect on Mareta, grieving, upset, unable to settle for three years until challenged by a young man she cared for with her family, now in the bank, urging her to go for a job interview.

In fact, she takes charge of the interview with the school authorities at St Francis of Assisi, a very up-market high school, school uniforms, everything orderly, discipline to the fore, and very elitist presumptions and  attitudes of staff and students. They are certainly not used to having anyone of Samoan origin on the staff, especially with her brightly coloured Polynesian dresses, their urging her to tone down.

Members of the staff are rather expected, some kindly and understanding, the vice principal almost a caricature of the ambitious, controlling, indignant racist school authority.

But, of course, the main thrust of the film and its enjoyment is Mareta’s encouragement of a very disturbed but talented young musician, encouraging volunteers for the choir, getting them involved, Polynesian musical traditions, some enthusiasm, ambitions, (some clashes between priorities of football and choir), a blend of confrontations and enthusiasm.

The final competition is very enjoyable, singing from several colleges but, the great climax and zest in the grand finale.

One hopes that younger audiences will identify with some of the issues and enjoy the film. But, for most audiences, it is pleasingly entertaining.

1. The title, Samoan for mother, not the name of the central character?
2. The Christchurch setting, the vistas of the city, the impact of the earthquake, the poorer neighbourhoods, St Francis School and its elie settings, banks and offices, the final choir competition?
3. The importance of music, Mareta at the beginning, the piano, her teaching, her supporting her daughter for her audition? The background score? Mareta at the school, building up the choir, singing, the traditional rubbing and waving of hands, the Polynesian songs, Nearer My God to The, the final concert?
4. Mareta and her story, born in Samoa, living in New Zealand, her work at the school, her friends, her daughter and her severity with her daughter, the phone call, the daughter’s nervousness about the audition, supporting her? The earthquake, Mareta and the experience, trying to contact her daughter, going to the ruins, her daughter’s body?
5. Mareta, opting out, years of grief, alone, going to the bank, the young man she helped when he was young, his advice, that she go for an interview, to keep her financial support? The recommendation that she go to St Francis school?
6. The encounter with Sophie, her scarred hands, playing the piano, Mareta playing, urging her to sing? The bonding between the two, and yet her independence and surly responses, lack of self-confidence, her medication, the severe relationship with her mother, her place at school?
7. The interview with the school board, the members, the deputy principal and his superiority, Alan and his sympathy, Mareta speaking very bluntly? The substitute teacher, going to the class, supervising?
8. The ethos of the school, elite, the attitude of the staff, the uniforms, the disciplined walking, the meetings in the hall, the speeches from the deputy principal, the importance of football? The personality of the deputy, his attitudes, superior, racist, the interactions with Mareta? The sympathetic teachers? Alan, his support, yet the spirit of the school, a falling out with Mareta, his change of heart?
9. The possibility for the choir, the volunteers, her getting them to rub hands, the movements? Is coming for the choir? The selection? The characters, the footballer and the challenge to his position with the sport, the Asian girl and her assertiveness, the enthusiastic girl with glasses…? Sophie, a reluctance, the encouragement, inviting her to sing and lead? The rehearsals?
10. The reaction, the staff? Mareta and her seeing the head of the board and his treatment of the player, her being called before the board, his attitudes, racist?
11. The working with the group, the enjoyment of the rehearsals, the background of the Samoan church, the priest and his support, the congregation, dressing in white, the choir? In the school choir coming, singing, applauds? Confidence?
12. Mareta, her perseverance, the ups and downs with Alan, her defiance, the possibility for the competition?
13. Sophie, her moods, refusing to whether lava lava, walking out? Mareta and her patience?
14. The footballer, the meeting with the coach, the board had, the deputy principal, the boy and his choice? The anger of the head of the board?
15. The concert, competition, the other schools and their performances? Background, Sophie inviting her mother, nervous, walking out, returning in costume, her carred shoulder, leading the group, the enthusiasm of the performance, the audience?
16. The film ending on this high? And the film’s audience finishing on a high?