You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin from News talks'b Now.

You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin from News talks'b Now.

Every so often you come across a film that is incredibly special, one that makes you cry and laugh and equal measures and sticks with you long after you leave the cinema. One of these films is releasing this week. It's by debut feature director Mickey Mega Siva and the film is called Tina, a story about a mother struggling with the loss of her daughter. What is this? There are a bunch of spoiled, rich kids that have everything they could ever want. You don't know them. You can't just throw some Sunday school group together us and say, comeboy.

Every so often you come across a film that is incredibly special, one that makes you cry and laugh and equal measures and sticks with you long after you leave the cinema. One of these films is releasing this week. It's by debut feature director Mickey Mega Siva and the film is called Tina, a story about a mother struggling with the loss of her daughter. What is this? There are a bunch of spoiled, rich kids that have everything they could ever want. You don't know them. You can't just throw some Sunday school group together us and say, comeboy.

Are you felt that I could give these kids something? This is that something? I want you to promise me that you will not stop seeing. Focus on the breadths around you. The space between us connects us to our choir, our family, to our community. She's not gone. I see her in every year.

Are you felt that I could give these kids something? This is that something? I want you to promise me that you will not stop seeing. Focus on the breadths around you. The space between us connects us to our choir, our family, to our community. She's not gone. I see her in every year.

Talk.

Talk.

Oh my gosh, it's bringing back the tears. And the man behind the film is with me, Mickey Magazeva. It's lovely to see you. Thank you so much for coming in, especially on your birthday. Happy birthday.

Oh my gosh, it's bringing back the tears. And the man behind the film is with me, Mickey Magazeva. It's lovely to see you. Thank you so much for coming in, especially on your birthday. Happy birthday.

Thank you very much, Thank you very much. Yes, the big for eight I believe today for the yep, getting on, getting on closer to fifty now, so thank you.

Thank you very much, Thank you very much. Yes, the big for eight I believe today for the yep, getting on, getting on closer to fifty now, so thank you.

Thank you for bringing that up. This film is extraordinary. It is an extraordinary effort for a debut feature. Is it everything you wanted it to be?

Thank you for bringing that up. This film is extraordinary. It is an extraordinary effort for a debut feature. Is it everything you wanted it to be?

Yeah? I think it is. I think when you are a creative, you're never going to be one hundred percent happy with anything that you do. But having been through the process now, having released it out to a few people and seeing their reactions, their positive reactions to the film, we're really stoked with where we've got to now and I can't wait to release.

Yeah? I think it is. I think when you are a creative, you're never going to be one hundred percent happy with anything that you do. But having been through the process now, having released it out to a few people and seeing their reactions, their positive reactions to the film, we're really stoked with where we've got to now and I can't wait to release.

It because how big a jump is it to go from making commercials and short films to a feature film.

It because how big a jump is it to go from making commercials and short films to a feature film.

I didn't think it would be that big if I were out, if I were honest, but it has been a massive, massive learning experience. Look, when you're on set, all of those things are still the same when you're working with actors. Of you know, grown up with actors, so collaborating with them has always been second nature to me. But the sort of behind the scenes required to get something like this up and running was massive and something that I hadn't expected.

I didn't think it would be that big if I were out, if I were honest, but it has been a massive, massive learning experience. Look, when you're on set, all of those things are still the same when you're working with actors. Of you know, grown up with actors, so collaborating with them has always been second nature to me. But the sort of behind the scenes required to get something like this up and running was massive and something that I hadn't expected.

Because you took on everything. I mean, you wrote this, you produced this, you directed it. It really is your baby.

Because you took on everything. I mean, you wrote this, you produced this, you directed it. It really is your baby.

That is.

That is.

There's a lot going on all at once, isn't it.

There's a lot going on all at once, isn't it.

It is? Yep, took on way too much for sure. But I felt like, how as you've mentioned having done commercials and having done short films and all those other platforms before I got to the stage where I just felt like I needed to do that to get it off the ground. I didn't feel like I had a choice. And you know, like you say, it's my birthday today, it felt like I'm getting a little bit older, and it has always been my dream to do the feature film, and I just didn't feel like I was getting any closer to it. So I didn't feel like I had a choice. I just felt like I had to do it and take on all those roles in order to get it off the ground.

It is? Yep, took on way too much for sure. But I felt like, how as you've mentioned having done commercials and having done short films and all those other platforms before I got to the stage where I just felt like I needed to do that to get it off the ground. I didn't feel like I had a choice. And you know, like you say, it's my birthday today, it felt like I'm getting a little bit older, and it has always been my dream to do the feature film, and I just didn't feel like I was getting any closer to it. So I didn't feel like I had a choice. I just felt like I had to do it and take on all those roles in order to get it off the ground.

It's been a lifelong dream, hasn't it.

It's been a lifelong dream, hasn't it.

Yeah? It really has cheap as twenty years now being a director and thirty years since I left school and dreamed of doing it. So getting this far and getting to this stage is pretty big moment for me.

Yeah? It really has cheap as twenty years now being a director and thirty years since I left school and dreamed of doing it. So getting this far and getting to this stage is pretty big moment for me.

Because it's brutal. It's brutal being a filmmaker.

Because it's brutal. It's brutal being a filmmaker.

Yeah, it's really hard. The lines on my face will attest to that. It is really brutal. It takes a lot, It takes a team to get behind you. And thankfully I have a couple of great producers with me. Dan Higgins is our lead producer, and Mario and Awa and without those guys, I wouldn't have been able to do it. So to have them there with us, with me along the way, has, you know, made that journey a little bit easier. But yes, very difficult.

Yeah, it's really hard. The lines on my face will attest to that. It is really brutal. It takes a lot, It takes a team to get behind you. And thankfully I have a couple of great producers with me. Dan Higgins is our lead producer, and Mario and Awa and without those guys, I wouldn't have been able to do it. So to have them there with us, with me along the way, has, you know, made that journey a little bit easier. But yes, very difficult.

I think you achieved something which is actually very hard to nail. The film is like this perfect mix of heartbreak and humor. There are these very heavy themes in the film, but then you give us this opportunity to kind of breathe again, to have a laugh and a lot of laughs. That's really hard to get that balance, right. Did you have to work at that when you were writing this film?

I think you achieved something which is actually very hard to nail. The film is like this perfect mix of heartbreak and humor. There are these very heavy themes in the film, but then you give us this opportunity to kind of breathe again, to have a laugh and a lot of laughs. That's really hard to get that balance, right. Did you have to work at that when you were writing this film?

Thank you for that. No, it's nice to get that reaction from people. I feel like it's just a natural part of what it is to be someone to navigate those two things, grief with a bit of humor. I think a lot of Sarmon's and Pacific Islanders deal with their grief through humor. It's certainly something that I experienced in my own life, going through trauma but also dealing in a way that's humorous. I just think it's a part of who I am. I'm not sure if I tried to do it. I just think it's a part of me, and it just came out naturally. I love humor, and I wanted to do an emotional story when I set out to do it. So just stope that we've had people in the theaters now reacting to both of those things. Oh, laughing and crying, hopefully emotional.

Thank you for that. No, it's nice to get that reaction from people. I feel like it's just a natural part of what it is to be someone to navigate those two things, grief with a bit of humor. I think a lot of Sarmon's and Pacific Islanders deal with their grief through humor. It's certainly something that I experienced in my own life, going through trauma but also dealing in a way that's humorous. I just think it's a part of who I am. I'm not sure if I tried to do it. I just think it's a part of me, and it just came out naturally. I love humor, and I wanted to do an emotional story when I set out to do it. So just stope that we've had people in the theaters now reacting to both of those things. Oh, laughing and crying, hopefully emotional.

Oh my goodness. Somebody said to me as I headed into that, I hope you've got a lot of tissues. I went, yeah, and I've got some tissues in the bag. You know, about the same amount that I take to most films. Wasn't enough. It was not enough. And do you know one of the things I loved about I went to a screening. It was filled with peaceeople who'd come to see this film and who really wanted to be there, and it reminded me why I love going to a cinema. We had this collective experience together. We were all laughing and crying and it it's an extraordinary experience when that happens. We were all in there together, just having this moment. But man, we cried.

Oh my goodness. Somebody said to me as I headed into that, I hope you've got a lot of tissues. I went, yeah, and I've got some tissues in the bag. You know, about the same amount that I take to most films. Wasn't enough. It was not enough. And do you know one of the things I loved about I went to a screening. It was filled with peaceeople who'd come to see this film and who really wanted to be there, and it reminded me why I love going to a cinema. We had this collective experience together. We were all laughing and crying and it it's an extraordinary experience when that happens. We were all in there together, just having this moment. But man, we cried.

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. It didn't hold back there you doing to hold back there? No, I'm really glad you said that, because you know, going to the movies has been an important part of my life growing up as a filmmaker, growing up, so to get into that shared space again, and you're absolutely right. This is a film that requires people to get into the theaters together and go through that journey together and laugh and cry together. I have a couple of friends who who went and saw it and went through the same experience as you. They didn't take enough tissues and they had to share their tissues.

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. It didn't hold back there you doing to hold back there? No, I'm really glad you said that, because you know, going to the movies has been an important part of my life growing up as a filmmaker, growing up, so to get into that shared space again, and you're absolutely right. This is a film that requires people to get into the theaters together and go through that journey together and laugh and cry together. I have a couple of friends who who went and saw it and went through the same experience as you. They didn't take enough tissues and they had to share their tissues.

They were saying they have been passed down there as yeah ten. It is set in christ Which around the time and post the twenty eleven earthquakes. What drew you to that setting?

They were saying they have been passed down there as yeah ten. It is set in christ Which around the time and post the twenty eleven earthquakes. What drew you to that setting?

I'm being a Wellington boy boy and then an Auckland boy. But I think Dan Higgins, who's our lead producer, he grew up in christ Church and when I pitched the story, it was actually based in Auckland to begin with, because that's where the choir who inspired the whole thing are from. They're from up here in Auckland. But Dan read the first drafts or first treatment, and he said, look, I think this would actually suit christ Church. So I did a bit of research into christ Church and lo and behold, it just seemed to fit there much better that fit in any other location. And then when we managed to kind of unlock setting in and around the earthquakes there, that just opened us up to a broader story and more emotional story that we were after. So I'm going to tribute that one to Dan Higgins.

I'm being a Wellington boy boy and then an Auckland boy. But I think Dan Higgins, who's our lead producer, he grew up in christ Church and when I pitched the story, it was actually based in Auckland to begin with, because that's where the choir who inspired the whole thing are from. They're from up here in Auckland. But Dan read the first drafts or first treatment, and he said, look, I think this would actually suit christ Church. So I did a bit of research into christ Church and lo and behold, it just seemed to fit there much better that fit in any other location. And then when we managed to kind of unlock setting in and around the earthquakes there, that just opened us up to a broader story and more emotional story that we were after. So I'm going to tribute that one to Dan Higgins.

Right, Mickey, you paid tribute to your brother poor at the end of this film, and you lost him not too long ago. A lot of this film is about trauma and grief, and I couldn't help but think how your experience must have informed the script.

Right, Mickey, you paid tribute to your brother poor at the end of this film, and you lost him not too long ago. A lot of this film is about trauma and grief, and I couldn't help but think how your experience must have informed the script.

Yeah. Absolutely, I wrote the script right in the middle of that period. I've said this a few times now that whilst I was writing the script, I must have cried for three years writing it. And I'm not even joking. It's, you know, seriously going through all of the emotions that hopefully audiences will go through as well, whilst I was writing it, whilst I was writing those emotional scenes, going through that time remembering him. So I like to think that he, you know, drove a lot of that emotion, A lot of that emotion went down on paper, and then you know, has translated itself up to the big screen there. So yeah, maybe due to him. Actually you could feel it, Yeah, I hope, So, I hope. So it was a real emotional experience writing it and so and in fact, going throughout the entire process, and once people started coming on board and reading the script and knowing both of us and knowing our family, they could also feel it. And so it became a thing where they came on board and they were a bit more emotionally invested in making the story. And so I think a lot of that, all of that has ended up on the screen. So I'm super stoked about that.

Yeah. Absolutely, I wrote the script right in the middle of that period. I've said this a few times now that whilst I was writing the script, I must have cried for three years writing it. And I'm not even joking. It's, you know, seriously going through all of the emotions that hopefully audiences will go through as well, whilst I was writing it, whilst I was writing those emotional scenes, going through that time remembering him. So I like to think that he, you know, drove a lot of that emotion, A lot of that emotion went down on paper, and then you know, has translated itself up to the big screen there. So yeah, maybe due to him. Actually you could feel it, Yeah, I hope, So, I hope. So it was a real emotional experience writing it and so and in fact, going throughout the entire process, and once people started coming on board and reading the script and knowing both of us and knowing our family, they could also feel it. And so it became a thing where they came on board and they were a bit more emotionally invested in making the story. And so I think a lot of that, all of that has ended up on the screen. So I'm super stoked about that.

Actually, No, it's absolutely beautiful. Annapalla is an extraordinary talent. Of course, she's an award winning, well recognized actress and writer working in theater and things like that. Did you write this part for her?

Actually, No, it's absolutely beautiful. Annapalla is an extraordinary talent. Of course, she's an award winning, well recognized actress and writer working in theater and things like that. Did you write this part for her?

Yes, I did, although I didn't tell her I wrote it for her initially. I've told this story before, but I said to her, Hey, can you come on read my script. I just need help with this character. And so she read it and we got together and we worked on the character and then eventually I said, oh yeah, and by the way, I want you to play it too, So she came on board. She came on board willingly, but I did. I wrote it with her in mind. She's the only one that I really had in mind to play. We didn't offer the role to anybody else. It was just for her. She helped develop it as well, and so a lot of the gags in the in the film are her gags. And a lot of people say, oh, you've got her to do quite male things in this AKA make her students exercise, and I go, I didn't make that up. She said, I think I should make these students exercise so.

Yes, I did, although I didn't tell her I wrote it for her initially. I've told this story before, but I said to her, Hey, can you come on read my script. I just need help with this character. And so she read it and we got together and we worked on the character and then eventually I said, oh yeah, and by the way, I want you to play it too, So she came on board. She came on board willingly, but I did. I wrote it with her in mind. She's the only one that I really had in mind to play. We didn't offer the role to anybody else. It was just for her. She helped develop it as well, and so a lot of the gags in the in the film are her gags. And a lot of people say, oh, you've got her to do quite male things in this AKA make her students exercise, and I go, I didn't make that up. She said, I think I should make these students exercise so.

A lot, and it's brilliant. No, it's brilliant. And I did wonder a little bit with that humor. I'm sure you know, I was thinking, I'm obviously irresponsible for a lot of it, but the cast is so fabulous. I wondered just whether you know, in the moment, there was a lot that happened that the cast brought to the table as well.

A lot, and it's brilliant. No, it's brilliant. And I did wonder a little bit with that humor. I'm sure you know, I was thinking, I'm obviously irresponsible for a lot of it, but the cast is so fabulous. I wondered just whether you know, in the moment, there was a lot that happened that the cast brought to the table as well.

It was so fun. Yeah, it was so much fun. We've got a lot of great young talent cast in there as well, and we just had a ball shooting with them. I think they really got into it and embraced it and went with the comedy. And comedy is so fun to do anyway. Bows is great at it. Bueller's on there, He's hilarious. I've got a lot of friends that are in this movie who aren't actors who have come on board are absolutely hilarious. So a lot of fun shooting it.

It was so fun. Yeah, it was so much fun. We've got a lot of great young talent cast in there as well, and we just had a ball shooting with them. I think they really got into it and embraced it and went with the comedy. And comedy is so fun to do anyway. Bows is great at it. Bueller's on there, He's hilarious. I've got a lot of friends that are in this movie who aren't actors who have come on board are absolutely hilarious. So a lot of fun shooting it.

And how wonderful. How good is the music in this film? How wonderful is it to sort of celebrate a choir. You know, it's not a form of performance that kind of get spoken about a lot. Really, does it get its Jews?

And how wonderful. How good is the music in this film? How wonderful is it to sort of celebrate a choir. You know, it's not a form of performance that kind of get spoken about a lot. Really, does it get its Jews?

Yeah, no, absolutely not, and it should. And the choir community is massive here, so I am really proud that we're able to showcase choir and choral music in that way. I think we'll find a lot of them come out of the woodworks, because certainly, when I was pitching this out to a lot of people, almost everybody knew somebody that was in choir and in choral music, so or had done choral music before. So yeah, a large part of it was the music. I'm stoked because the music is also a genuine character in this movie. There's a lot of things that are tied into the story that's come from the music. Obviously, someone church music has always been a strong part of our culture, so to infuse that with Simon church music choral music locally, We've got a couple of great songs, you know, classic New Zealand songs in there, and have that all be a part of this story. It just helped it while you saw.

Yeah, no, absolutely not, and it should. And the choir community is massive here, so I am really proud that we're able to showcase choir and choral music in that way. I think we'll find a lot of them come out of the woodworks, because certainly, when I was pitching this out to a lot of people, almost everybody knew somebody that was in choir and in choral music, so or had done choral music before. So yeah, a large part of it was the music. I'm stoked because the music is also a genuine character in this movie. There's a lot of things that are tied into the story that's come from the music. Obviously, someone church music has always been a strong part of our culture, so to infuse that with Simon church music choral music locally, We've got a couple of great songs, you know, classic New Zealand songs in there, and have that all be a part of this story. It just helped it while you saw.

It, so yeah, no, it gives it great energy and things. You had a lot to actually pull together, didn't you. Yeah, music and performance, all sorts of things going on.

It, so yeah, no, it gives it great energy and things. You had a lot to actually pull together, didn't you. Yeah, music and performance, all sorts of things going on.

Yeah, I thought it was going to be heaps easier than it turned out to be for sure. Yep. Yeah, took on too much. But that's part of the fun, isn't it. And also, even though it was tricky and hard to get all of those elements together, once you finally get to the other side of it, and we're on the other side of it now I'm about to release it, it all works and helps to tell the story. And I think you I think I hope audiences will really feel that when.

Yeah, I thought it was going to be heaps easier than it turned out to be for sure. Yep. Yeah, took on too much. But that's part of the fun, isn't it. And also, even though it was tricky and hard to get all of those elements together, once you finally get to the other side of it, and we're on the other side of it now I'm about to release it, it all works and helps to tell the story. And I think you I think I hope audiences will really feel that when.

They're Oh, they absolutely feel I don't think there'll be any doubt about that. What do you love about storytelling? Why is it important to you?

They're Oh, they absolutely feel I don't think there'll be any doubt about that. What do you love about storytelling? Why is it important to you?

I think most of the things that I love about storytelling is to be able to give audiences an experience that is enjoyable. I don't make movies for myself. I like I make movies for audiences. And so to get back the you know, the feedback we've got so far has been so positive and amazing, and each and every bit of feedback that we've got has just made me extremely happy. And that's that's why I do it, you know. I mean, being a creative has always just been a part of it of who I am as a person. But when you're going through the grind and you're in the trenches, it's often hard to see the you know, the the enjoyable moments of it. And it's not until you finish the thing and then people come up to you tears in their eyes, or they come up to you and say, you know, they laugh their way through it. That's probably what gives me the biggest joy.

I think most of the things that I love about storytelling is to be able to give audiences an experience that is enjoyable. I don't make movies for myself. I like I make movies for audiences. And so to get back the you know, the feedback we've got so far has been so positive and amazing, and each and every bit of feedback that we've got has just made me extremely happy. And that's that's why I do it, you know. I mean, being a creative has always just been a part of it of who I am as a person. But when you're going through the grind and you're in the trenches, it's often hard to see the you know, the the enjoyable moments of it. And it's not until you finish the thing and then people come up to you tears in their eyes, or they come up to you and say, you know, they laugh their way through it. That's probably what gives me the biggest joy.

So maybe you've got another seven years and you're to pull another project, like you say, as you say, it's kind of it's this huge thing and it takes up so much part of your life and then it's out there and you are, okay, oh yeah, maybe I could do that again. That's all, you know.

So maybe you've got another seven years and you're to pull another project, like you say, as you say, it's kind of it's this huge thing and it takes up so much part of your life and then it's out there and you are, okay, oh yeah, maybe I could do that again. That's all, you know.

I mean, I'd love to do it again. But maybe we could cheat a little bit and just tell life that we started five years ago, we've already started.

I mean, I'd love to do it again. But maybe we could cheat a little bit and just tell life that we started five years ago, we've already started.

Oh maybe, yeah, get your producers on. Maybe you just handle the writing and the directing, and that's that. I mean. It's so good to see these Pacifica stories told by Pacifica filmmakers on screen, isn't it?

Oh maybe, yeah, get your producers on. Maybe you just handle the writing and the directing, and that's that. I mean. It's so good to see these Pacifica stories told by Pacifica filmmakers on screen, isn't it?

You know? I think it's one of the one of the things I'm proudest about is to be able to add to that what is a relatively short time period of Pacifica filmmakers and films. So to be able to be one of those now and hopefully add to that journey is just, you know, just another thing that will celebrate.

You know? I think it's one of the one of the things I'm proudest about is to be able to add to that what is a relatively short time period of Pacifica filmmakers and films. So to be able to be one of those now and hopefully add to that journey is just, you know, just another thing that will celebrate.

It's a beautiful film. I think it's I think it's going to become a key classic. Everyone needs to go and see it. Take a lot of tissues, take tissues, have a good laugh, just have a moment and be together, just one mom and.

It's a beautiful film. I think it's I think it's going to become a key classic. Everyone needs to go and see it. Take a lot of tissues, take tissues, have a good laugh, just have a moment and be together, just one mom and.

Dad and take your family. I'm sure everybody will enjoy it.

Dad and take your family. I'm sure everybody will enjoy it.

I hope you do, at least enjoy the rest of your birthday.

I hope you do, at least enjoy the rest of your birthday.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Tina is in cinemas this Thursday.

Tina is in cinemas this Thursday.

For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen live to News Talks it'd be from nine am Sunday, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.

For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen live to News Talks it'd be from nine am Sunday, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.