Powerful new music documentary joins Mercury Studios' expanding acquisitions slate, spotlighting family, culture, and the voice hailed as opera’s next great tenor.

Mercury Studios has secured the global rights (excluding premiere rights in France and Germany) to Tenor, a powerful new music documentary following the extraordinary rise of celebrated Samoan tenor Pene Pati. Blending soaring performances with intimate storytelling, the film will be released internationally in 2026.

Directed by award-winning New Zealand filmmaker Rebecca Tansley (The Heart Dances), Tenor charts the against-the-odds journey of Pati from his roots in Samoa and the streets of South Auckland to commanding the world’s most revered opera stages. With warmth, wit, sweeping visuals, and a richly varied soundtrack the documentary captures a cross cultural journey and musical ascent like no other, with Pene’s brother Amitai Pati - himself now a rising star in the operatic world - also playing a central role.

Pene Pati said: “I didn’t think our story was remarkable. When I was first approached, 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 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.”

Rebecca Tansley added: “Pene and Amitai’s story is so much 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. Mercury Studios is the perfect home for it and I’m excited, alongside my production team and the team at Mercury, to share it with audiences worldwide.”

Amy Freshwater, Executive Producer and VP, Acquisitions at Mercury Studios, said: “Mercury Studios tell human stories through the lens of music and Tenor couldn’t embody that more. It’s an emotional, uplifting celebration of talent, resilience, and cultural pride. From the very first sizzle of Pene’s home movies and pure scale of his challenge to succeed in Opera, it was obvious that this was an inspirational tale we needed to be a part of. We’re incredibly proud to be bringing it to the world.” Shot in 4K and set against the stunning background of the brothers’ Pacific homeland, combined with the striking interiors of the world’s greatest opera houses, this 103 minute feature is packed with unforgettable performances, tender behind-the-scenes moments, and never-before-seen archive from the Pati family. From Pene’s modest beginnings to his arrival at the Metropolitan Opera, the film reflects on identity, ambition, and the changing face of opera through the eyes of a new generation.

Tenor is produced by Minerva Productions with the support of the New Zealand Film Commission, in association with Mercury Studios and in co-production with ZDF in collaboration with ARTE. It will be released internationally by Mercury Studios in 2026.

Mercury Studios acquisitions arm is rapidly expanding as part of its global strategy to spotlight extraordinary stories rooted in music and culture. With a growing slate of feature documentaries, Mercury Studios continues to champion projects that resonate with audiences around the world emotionally, artistically, and sonically.