By Daniel Brace
Take your tissues. This heartwarming tale is infused with Pacifica/Kiwi humour and sensibility. It’s not a traditional happy ending, but it draws on what is truly important in life – which is not ignoring our trauma or pain, but channeling it into something beautiful, like choral music.
Star educator Mareta Percival is a Samoan elder, played by Anapela Polataivao, who has had a terrible tragedy in her life. A choir leader of note, she ends up bringing her gifts to a snobby Christchurch private school, and through her care and devotion, she knits together a group of students a bit like a fine ʻie tōga, the woven mats ubiquitous with her cultural heritage.
I think that’s what appeals in this beautifully written and directed film by Miki Magasiva, with contributing writer Mario Gaoa, is that the film observes the impacts of colonialism and yet draws on the best of choral singing from both Pacifika and western music traditions.
The performances, both on screen and in song, are stellar. If you need a laugh, or a cry, or both, go see this film, and take someone you love, or better still, someone you sing with.
Screening at selected cinemas, Stan or rent it on Amazon.
