Samoan tenor Pene Pati will take his music and family story to North American audiences when the documentary 'Tenor: My Name is Pati' screens in Vancouver and San Francisco next month.
Born in Samoa and raised in South Auckland, Aotearoa, Mr Pati has built an international opera career, followed by his brother Amitai Pati, with their Samoan identity, family relationship and shared love of singing at the centre of the documentary.
Mr Pati told The AU Review his family and where he comes from remained central to his career.
"More than anything, it's so tied to family and where I come from," he said.
"Every time I step onto a stage, or every time I'm away overseas, that's my motivation... I'm singing for them. I'm singing for the people back home and trying to show them what's possible.
"They treat me as a brother and as a son, and they keep me grounded."
The film uses family archive footage and performances to explore the brothers' careers, achievements and the relationships which have supported them.
Mr Pati spoke about wanting audiences to see more than the success which has come with his international career.
"I think people relate more to the doubt than they do to the success," Mr Pati said.
"Why can't I bring my Samoan identity to it? Why can't I interpret it through who I am?"
'Tenor: My Name is Pati' reached number one on New Zealand's daily box-office chart during its opening week and went on to gross more than NZ$1.2 million.
The documentary premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, was selected for the Sydney Film Festival and received an Australian theatrical release in July.
It will have its Canadian premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival, with screenings on October 8 and October 11.
Mr Pati will also attend a screening and Q&A with director Rebecca Tansley at San Francisco's Roxie cinema on October 11.
The visit comes ahead of Mr Pati's appearance in San Francisco Opera's Manon from October 15 to November 1.
Ms Tansley will attend the Vancouver screenings and other upcoming festivals, and said she hoped the film's North American run would build on its reception in New Zealand.
"The response in New Zealand has been wonderful. I hope these festival screenings and our Roxie event help more North American audiences discover the film and give it the chance to enjoy the same success here," Ms Tansley said.
"Pene and Amitai's music, humour and family story have brought people so much joy, and I'd love to share that more widely."
Samoan members of the production include executive producer Taualeo'o Stephen Stehlin, composer Andrew Faleatua and associate producer Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa.
Their involvement was part of a broader effort to include Samoan cultural and family perspectives behind the camera as well as on screen.
During development, Ms Tansley and Mr Stehlin formed Afa, a group of Samoan media and music professionals which advised the production from development through to release.
Named after the Samoan sinnet used to bind things together, the group provided cultural guidance, supported the Pati family and reviewed edits and promotional material.
Ms Tansley, who is palagi, approached the documentary with an understanding that the story belonged to the Pati family, who have since embraced the completed film and regard her as an aunty.
Mr Pati is a former San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow and has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra national de Paris and London's Royal Opera House.
His recordings include Pene Pati, Nessun Dorma and Serenata a Napoli, with Nessun Dorma winning Solo Recording of the Year at the 2025 Opus Klassik awards.
