Title: Tinā

Director: Miki Magasiva

Year: 2024

Country and language: NZ/Aotearoa, English and Samoan

Genre: Drama

Australian distributor: Madman

From Andrew F Peirce’s review: Even with the knowledge in mind that this isn’t a true story, you’re still likely to rush out of the cinema wanting to find out more about the glorious Mareta Percival [played by Anapela Polataivao]… As Mareta, Anapela soars, imbuing Tinā (the word means mother in Samoan) with verve and vitality, elevating the film above the status of routine dramatic weepy to become something of a rare gem that will stand as an enduring experience akin to comfort viewing… Tinā is a comforting film. It’s one that accentuates the beauty and warmth of mothers and great teachers. It’s the kind of film that makes you cry, that makes you laugh, that teaches you something, and that leaves you swaying your hips a little as you walk out to the sound of the credits.