Māngere's Opera Brothers

Pene (left) and Amitai Pati (right)

The remarkable story of how two Samoan brothers from Māngere took their singing talents from modest church halls in South Auckland to grand opera houses around the world will soon be hitting movie screens. 

The film Tenor: My Name is Pati, which premieres on March 5, traces the journey of Pene and Amitai Pati from their humble beginnings to forming Sol3 Mio alongside baritone Moses Mackay, to going on to perform at some of the world’s most iconic music venues. 

It also dives into the solo careers of the pair following their platinum-selling success with Sol3 Mio. Pene is now considered one of the world’s leading tenors - and has even been favourably compared to Luciano Pavarotti - having been named Best Male Singer at the Opera Critics’ Awards and Opera Magazine Readers’ Award at the International Opera Awards. While Amitai, who began his solo career in 2022, is quickly drawing critical acclaim for a string of performances at the Opéra National de Paris, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, following his graduation from the Merola Opera Program in San Francisco.

The documentary is described as a tale of faith, family and determination and is directed by award-winning filmmaker Rebecca Tansley. But when the idea of a film was first pitched to Pene, he was unsure it was a story worth telling. 

“I didn’t think our story was remarkable,” he says. 

“When Rebecca first approached us I thought, ‘why would anyone make a film about us?’ But as production went on I realised how much has happened since Amitai and I started - the obstacles, the tests, the doubts, the tears, and ultimately, the success. 

“Our journey wasn’t easy or obvious, but if it sparks someone else to chase their own dreams, then that’s the real win.”

The movie traverses seven countries, including Samoa, and takes audiences behind the curtain at some of the world’s greatest opera houses, capturing rare moments between the brothers and their family, and features never-before-seen home footage filmed by their sister Torres Pati.

But Tansley says it’s more than a story about opera singers.

“It’s about family and culture, and a beautiful testament to the transformative power of music - of all kinds. It was a privilege to be able to make this film, to access some incredible places, and to get to know not just Pene and Amitai but their aiga.”

Tenor: My Name is Pati will be released in cinemas across Aotearoa on March 5, 2026.