In 2023, film director Miki Magasiva (We Are Still Here, The Panthers) and producer Mario Gaoa from Island Light Films approached Mrs Wilson (HOD Music) about involving our Westlake mixed premier choir Choralation in a film they had written called Tinā.
Based in New Zealand, the fictional character of Samoan teacher Mereta Percival is struggling after her daughter’s death in the Christchurch earthquakes and decides to take a substitute teacher at an elite school. The students desperately need guidance, inspiration, and love, so she starts a school choir. Despite opposition from the school and the novice singing skills of the students, they enter The Big Sing…
After discussions with Miki about his script, he shared that Choralation’s performance hugely impacted him (and the Samoan community) in the 2013 Finale of ‘Maunga e ole Atuolo’. None of the singers were Samoan, but the care and work they undertook to perform it respectfully and authentically was recognised and appreciated, and the YouTube video quickly went viral.
Miki was hopeful that Choralation (10 years later) could feature in the film in a significant way, but the ages of the students meant that would not be possible. Instead, the Choralation 2023 choir recorded some songs in a studio featuring some of The Big Sing Finale scenes and as extras in the school scenes. It was a fantastic experience for the 2023 singers, and Mrs Wilson worked behind the scenes to conduct the choir out of shot. Many of our past Choralation singers (now in their 20s) signed up as extras and characters of students in the choir.
Tinā has just received a rapturous welcome at the sold-out world premiere at the 44th Hawai’i International Film Festival earlier this month and will be released nationwide in cinemas on 27 February 2025.
The film looks fantastic – moving, funny, and heartwarming. Seeing a slice of New Zealand’s choral culture on the big screen that features our school community is very special. We encourage you to get along to see it next February!
To see the trailer, click here.