Director Adrian Russell Wills and writer-producer Jessica Carrera have crafted a documentary that spans the breadth of Tina Arena's life, from her childhood on Young Talent Time to her international success in France. The film draws on decades of archival footage, music video clips, interviews with family and collaborators, and Arena's own straight-to-camera narration. As the reviewer notes, Arena is 'candid, funny, down-to-earth and often emotional' throughout.
Arena's journey is presented through the dual lens of 'icon' and 'woman,' allowing her to reflect on the pressures of fame, the struggle to find her artistic voice in a male-dominated industry, and the personal toll of her career. One of the more striking moments comes when she describes the breakdown of her marriage to former manager Ralph Carr, saying 'no one was burning for me.' Carr was recently sentenced to six years in jail for a 2022 rape and sexual assault, but the documentary does not discuss his conviction. At the film's premiere, Arena said she did not know the victim but was supportive of the verdict.
The documentary also highlights her transformative years in France, where she met her former partner, artist Vincent Mancini, and was awarded the Knighthood of the Order of National Merit by then-president Nicolas Sarkozy in 2011. The film features glowing praise from Celine Dion, adding to its rich tapestry of testimonials.
'This is an extraordinary portrait of an artist who strove tirelessly, and successfully, to be herself,' Low writes. 'It's a story told with grace and fire and wit.'