This is a stirring and emotionally uplifting documentary that invites audiences into the heart of a family, a culture and the extraordinary musical journey of brothers Pene and Amitai Pati.
Cast: Pene Pati and Amitai Pati, family and community
Director: Rebecca Tansley
Festival: Sydney Film Festival 2026 | Official Selection
Screening: From July 23 at Luna Leederville and Luna on SX
Genre: Biographical Documentary
Like a great aria, TENOR: MY NAME IS PATI builds with warmth, intimacy and emotional force, rising to a crescendo that leaves a lasting impression. It is a beautifully crafted masterpiece for music lovers and for anyone moved by stories of family, perseverance and artistic destiny.
From the beginning, viewers are welcomed into the Pati family and into the brothers’ world of music. The film traces Pene Pati’s remarkable rise to stardom as an unlikely opera singer, while also honouring the deep bond he shares with his brother Amitai, himself a rising presence on the operatic stage. Pene, his brother Amitai and a cousin start out as the voices behind the beloved Aotearoa popera phenomenon SOL3 MIO. The importance of family, along with the honouring and respect for Samoan culture, is woven throughout the narrative. That sense of family cohesion and love is equally intrinsic to the story.
Through beautifully paced narration and intimate interviews with Pene, Amitai, their family and friends, the story unfolds, carrying the audience with them. Director Rebecca Tansley creates a richly textured portrait of talent, resilience and belonging. The storytelling is magically woven, drawing us into the brothers’ lives while echoing the emotional flavour of the operatic genre itself.
Hailed as the new Pavarotti, New Zealand’s Pene Pati has become one of opera’s brightest young voices, astonishing audiences around the world with his unique timbre and commanding presence.
What stayed with me most is that the film is far more than a success story. It is a heartfelt celebration of family, culture and the courage it takes to follow an unlikely dream. The performances are breathtaking, but it is the warmth of the brothers, their Samoan heritage, their New Zealand upbringing and the love surrounding them that makes the story so affecting. By the end, I felt I had not only witnessed the making of an extraordinary opera singer, but also been invited into the family, teachers and community who helped shape him. The Performances are a delight and connect you with Pene and Amitai on an emotional level, enhancing the experience. Director Rebecca Tansley has created a masterpiece here for our viewing.  Jacquie Walker Editor
