Tinā (2025) Movie Review

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Tinā – Movie Review

4th World Media Lab and the cINeDIGENOUS Spotlight at the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival.

First Reaction – Tinā is an inspiring, emotional story.

Director: Miki Magasiva

Writer: Miki Magasiva, Mario Gaoa (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Anapela Polativao (The Changeover)
  • Antonia Robinson (The Brokenwood Mysteries)
  • Beulah Koale (Next Goal Wins)
  • Dalip Sondhi (Blueback)
  • Nicole Whippy (Vertical Limit)

Plot: After losing her daughter during the earthquakes in Christchurch, a woman takes up the role of a temporary teacher at an exclusive school. To her surprise, she finds that the students are without proper guidance and emotional support. This revelation sparks in her a desire to offer them motivation and care.

Runtime: 2 Hours 4 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The narrative unfolds as a bereaved teacher named Mareta (Polataivao) experiences deep sorrow following the loss of her daughter during the Christchurch earthquakes. This tragedy sets off a tumultuous period of self-discovery and searching for purpose in life for Mareta. Subsequently, she receives an opportunity to work at an esteemed educational institution where she stands out among her colleagues due to her distinctive background.

In no time at all, Mareta seems to irritate Principal Peter Wadsworth of Irvine School in an unintended manner. Yet, she views this situation as an opportunity to encourage students to pursue their aspirations and discover their individuality by finding their unique voices.

Verdict on Tinā

Recap

The film narrates the story of a teacher, still grappling with grief, who takes on a position at an exclusive school to motivate a cluster of students to express themselves. It portrays the stringent regulations they are subjected to, yet her instruction provides them an opportunity to break free from the pressures imposed upon them.

Best Parts

The film underscores that harmonious coexistence among diverse cultures is achievable when individuals embrace each other’s uniqueness. It portrays the confusion of young souls grappling with life’s complexities and the hurdles they encounter on their journey. Mareta, a remarkable character, has endured much hardship but continues to inspire others in spite of her personal grief. One could say that this movie shares similarities with ‘School of Rock’, but in a more tranquil manner, and also echoes aspects of ‘Dead Poets Society’ in its narrative. It depicts a teacher who manages to bond with students on an extraordinary level, utilizing music as a catalyst to empower them to express themselves. Each student grapples with unique challenges, and Mareta must find the most effective way to guide them towards overcoming their struggles.

This movie teaches us that people from different cultures can live together peacefully when they accept each other’s differences. It shows young people dealing with various issues in life and facing unique challenges. Mareta is a strong character who has gone through a lot but still inspires others, even though she’s suffered personal loss. The film resembles ‘School of Rock’ in a calmer manner, and parts of it remind us of ‘Dead Poets Society’. It tells the story of a teacher connecting with students in a unique way by using music to help them find their voices. Each student faces different problems, and Mareta helps them figure out how to deal with their issues effectively.

Final Thoughts –Tinā is an excellent, emotional and inspiring story.

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2025-05-19 14:37