Tinā

In the wake of a devastating earthquake that stole her young daughter, Mareta Percival returns to the rhythm of daily life clutching the fragments of her faith and the quiet resolve of a Samoan‑New Zealand mother. Haunted by loss yet buoyed by a deep‑rooted Catholic belief, she steps into a temporary role that promises a breath of ordinary routine, while the city around her still murmurs with the echo of that tragedy.

The setting shifts to St Francis, a prestigious private school whose polished corridors mask a generation of pupils drifting without clear purpose. Here, the expectations of privilege clash with a palpable sense of emptiness, and the students—though seemingly secure—are quietly searching for meaning beyond academic achievement. Sio, Mareta’s nephew and a social worker, nudges her toward this environment, believing her compassion might fill the gaps the school’s structure leaves open.

From her first day, Mareta senses a collective yearning for guidance, and she begins to weave herself into the lives of the young scholars. With a gentle demeanor and an instinct for listening, she offers more than lesson plans; she shares stories, cultural songs, and an invitation to connect with one another through shared expression. The tentative formation of a choir becomes a subtle thread binding disparate personalities—each student discovering a voice they never knew they possessed. Peter Wadsworth, the deputy principal, represents the institution’s rigid expectations, setting up a quiet tension between tradition and the emerging, more inclusive spirit Mareta nurtures. Meanwhile, Sophie, a talented yet troubled pupil, becomes a focal point for the choir’s evolving dynamics.

The film unfolds in a tone that balances quiet melancholy with hopeful resilience, painting a portrait of grief‑turned‑guidance amid an elite academic world. As Mareta’s presence ripples through the corridors, the audience is invited to wonder how far a single, compassionate teacher can lead a group of adrift youths toward healing, belonging, and a shared sense of purpose—without ever revealing the full arc of their journey.

Last Updated: August 20, 2025 at 17:43