logo
NZ film Tinā set for US release after Rialto Distribution acquires global rights

NZ film Tinā set for US release after Rialto Distribution acquires global rights

NZ Herald16-07-2025
NZ Film Commission chief executive Annie Murray opens up on public funding and the importance of taking New Zealand film projects to the world.
Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
NZ film Tinā set for US release after Rialto Distribution acquires global rights
The global rights to New Zealand film Tinā have been acquired by Rialto Distribution, with a United States theatrical release date set for next month.
One of the most successful local productions to date, Tinā – which was written, co-produced and directed by New Zealand-Samoan filmmaker Miki Magasiva – will begin screening in US cinemas from August 29.
Rialto Distribution will then prepare the film for international release once it's rolled out in the US.
'Tinā is a rare gem – brimming with authenticity, rhythm and emotional power,' said Kelly Rogers, Rialto's managing director, in a statement to Deadline.
'We're incredibly proud to champion this uniquely Pasifika story and deliver it to global audiences hungry for heartfelt, original cinema.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Frank: Stories from the South, episode 10
Frank: Stories from the South, episode 10

NZ Herald

time15 hours ago

  • NZ Herald

Frank: Stories from the South, episode 10

Alaifea was among those receiving his malofie. Photo / Frank Film For the diaspora community, receiving their malofie later in life, like Alaifea, is a cultural coming-of-age. Photo / Frank Film Alaifea, 33, was among those receiving his malofie and says he feels honoured to share the experience. 'I'm super emotional anyway,' he says, 'so I'm just gonna be an absolute trainwreck for the next few weeks. I wear my heart on my sleeve.' Traditionally in Samoa, boys receive their malofie in their teenage years, as a rite of passage into manhood. For the diaspora community receiving their malofie later in life, the process is a cultural coming-of-age. 'Now, it is a matter of moving to a new life – a shedding of the old skin, I suppose,' says Alaifea. Alaifea's wife, artist Nina Oberg-Humphries. Photo / Frank Film Alaifea's wife, artist Nina Oberg-Humphries, says one thing she admires about her husband is that 'above all else, he loves being Samoan'. 'This [malofie] is really special because, not that it cements his identity but, you know, I can't imagine the feeling of being able to speak the words of your ancestors and then being able to bear the marks of them as well,' she says. Nina Oberg-Humphries admires how her husband loves being Samoan. Photo / Frank Film Poasa Alaifea was motivated by his sister's death. Photo / Frank Film The motivation to get tapped surged for Alaifea last year, after his sister died. 'I felt this great sense of urgency,' he says, 'I won't let another woman of influence in my life see me without the pe'a.' The male malofie, also called a pe'a, covers two-thirds of the body, with patterns of thick black lines, dots and arrows spreading from the shins to halfway up the torso – front and back. The female malofie, called a malu, covers less of the skin and takes one or two days to produce. The tufuga taps free-hand, tailoring each design to the unique journey and lineage of the recipient. Tufuga Su'a Peter Sulu'ape travelled from Auckland to Christchurch to perform tā tatau. Photo / Frank Film Most of the people receiving their malofie this month are New Zealand or Australian-born. Photo / Frank Film 'It's bigger than just tattooing, this is the one thing that every Samoan wants to be,' says Tufuga Sulu'ape. 'To mark by the pe'a actually is the closest connection to our culture.' Most of those receiving their malofie this month are New Zealand or Australian-born. 'So part of the diaspora,' says Alaifea. He acknowledges that it can be controversial for those outside of Samoa to receive their malofie. 'There's definitely a growing interest in it because, as we move into second and third generations of Pacific people living and being born outside of Samoa, there's a growing disconnect – a wanting, or a longing, for individuals to be able to have that connection,' says Alaifea. Poasa Alaifea under the 'Au. Photo / Frank Film The word tatau is derived from the sound of the tapping and the Samoan word for connection. Sulu'ape says preventing those who are not Samoan-born from receiving their malofie puts a barrier between a person and their culture. 'This is a mark of your identity, showing people that you are from there. We shouldn't have any reasons that you cannot [get the tattoo],' says Sulu'ape. The word tatau is derived from the sound of the tapping and the Samoan word for connection. Photo / Frank Film But the process is ruthless. 'You're literally faced with all of your demons – there's nowhere to run,' says Alaifea. 'It really is not only the shedding of the skin, it's almost like a shedding of your soul.' Basically, he says, 'we're going to be having a whole bunch of open wounds on our body'. The tapping sessions are usually two to five hours per day, but this is tailored to each recipient depending on how much they bleed and how quickly their wounds heal. The tapping sessions last around two to five hours a day. Photo / Frank Film Every strike was painful for Alaifea. Photo / Frank Film 'Every strike is painful. Honestly, it's such a weird experience, because it's both beautiful and torture at the same time,' says Alaifea. He says of all the people he spoke to about receiving their pe'a, every one said that, at some point during the process, they wanted to quit. On day one, Alaifea lies surrounded by family on woven mats (falalili'i). His young daughter holds his hand. He closes his eyes. The tapping begins. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Reggae music legend George ‘Fiji' Veikoso dies aged 55
Reggae music legend George ‘Fiji' Veikoso dies aged 55

NZ Herald

time16 hours ago

  • NZ Herald

Reggae music legend George ‘Fiji' Veikoso dies aged 55

'His music wasn't just something we listened to. It was something we lived through. It was the soundtrack to our childhoods, our family parties, our car rides, our quiet nights, our celebrations, and our heartbreaks.' Labour Party Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni said she couldn't comprehend Veikoso's death. 'One of the most talented Pasifika/ reggae musicians ever - if not the most talented,' she wrote. 'I was in awe of his music but in his humble gracious way, he was respectful to me for my political accomplishments.' Veikoso, born in 1970, was regarded as one of the most original and dynamic entertainers in the Pacific Rim. He left Fiji in 1987 because of the country's coup d'état and settled in Hawaii. His island roots-inspired grooves earned him a place in popular television and film. He co-wrote the theme song for Baywatch Hawaii, appeared as an actor in the film Blue Crush and performed on the Live with Emeril Lagasse cooking show. Rest Easy Fiji ❤️ A staple for all of Polynesia. He connected every single Polynesian together. Your music and message will forever live on. A true Warrior Of Love🤟🏽 Thank you, Mahalo, Fa'afetai🤙🏽🇦🇸🇼🇸🇹🇴🇫🇯 — Braeden Lafaele Meyer (@Coach_BMeyer) July 24, 2025 Last year, he hosted a two-day homecoming concert in Nadi, which brought an estimated $1 million into the local economy. Katchafire's Logan Bell described Veikoso as an 'amazing human to sit down and have a chat to'. 'I just love the way he talks about indigenous peoples throughout the Pacific – you can call them Polynesian or Pasifika – and what life was once like in pre-European, pre-colonial days,' he said. 'I love the way he talks about whakapapa. There was communication, there was trade, there was a cohesive way of life back then. Māori history really interests me, indigenous history really interests me, and sacred knowledge and the [earlier] ways of life.'

Gumboot Friday gets green light for second year of funding
Gumboot Friday gets green light for second year of funding

RNZ News

time16 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Gumboot Friday gets green light for second year of funding

Gumboot Friday has had a green light for its second year of funding but has had its targets increased after meeting the minimum numbers set for its first year. Last year the process by which the charity was awarded 24 million dollars funding came under scrutiny by the auditor-general who said the way the decision came about was "unusual and inconsistent". But mental health Minister Matt Doocey has backed the charity saying it's helping thousands of young people get access to support faster. Founder of Gumboot Friday Mike King, spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store