Mercury Studios has acquired the global rights, excluding premiere rights in France and Germany, to “Tenor,” a new feature documentary chronicling the extraordinary rise of Samoan tenor Pene Pati.

The film, which is directed by award-winning New Zealand filmmaker Rebecca Tansley and will be released internationally in 2026, combines performances with intimate storytelling. It narrates Pati’s journey from his roots in Samoa and the streets of South Auckland to his rise at the world’s most renowned opera houses. It also explores his brother Amitai Pati’s similar rise in the opera world.

“I didn’t think our story was remarkable,” said Pene Pati in an official press release. “But as production went on, I realized how much has happened since Amitai and I started—the tests, the obstacles, 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.”

Shot in 4K, the film juxtaposes the landscapes of the Pacific homeland with the interiors of iconic opera houses. Produced by Minerva Productions with the support of the New Zealand Film Commission, in association with Mercury Studios, and in co-production with ZDF/ARTE, “Tenor” offers never-before-seen family archive and behind-the-scenes glimpses, culminating in Pati’s arrival at the Metropolitan Opera.

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