Tina at Berlinale 2021
Written By: Margaux Fortier
Tina Turner is a music icon that has transformed her career for survival, redemption, and rebirth. Over the course of her 60+ years in the music industry, she has found strength in ways that she never expected and has thrived in change. The documentary, Tina, premiered at the 2021 Berlin International Film Festival and audiences were able to experience the life of Tina Turner as it was meant to be seen.
Official Poster, HBO
From singing for fun after school to global phenomenon, Tina Turner has grown to the status of music legend and has created more for herself than anyone thought possible. Her career has been very public but her life has been private and there has been a lot going on behind closed doors that the world didn’t know. She has always had a spark that connected her to the audiences that she performed for and that is where she felt most herself.
Not many people can say that they are coming of age at 40 years old. Following a very intimate interview with People Magazine in 1981 where she told the story of her abusive relationship with Ike Turner, Capitol Records was interested in working with her to create the act she had always wanted. With years singing Motown and pop, Tina Turner had a spark within her that took years to pinpoint. She wanted to be the first black female rock star, however, there was no path to bring her there. Soon after the interview, What’s Love Got To Do With It was produced in the UK and became Billboard #1, won album of the year, and became her stadium song. Though many said that it was a comeback, it was actually the debut of Tina Turner as herself.
Many know the pieces of Tina Turner's life that have stood out in the press, however, this documentary shows the ingenuity and resilience of her career in a way that we’ve never seen before. During her separation from Ike Turner, she was left with nothing but the name Tina Turner, her stage name. Though it was important for notoriety at the time, it became the vessel for her to rise. That name is now bigger and more iconic than the performance. Growing to include a biopic of her life and a Broadway musical, Tina Turner has reached the level of icon where we can’t get enough.
Tina Turner and Ikettes perform at KMET 1973, © Rhonda Graam
As a person, Tina Turner has a lot of heartache and trauma but you’d never know. She holds herself with poise and grace that rises above any negativity that she could put out into the world. She has the platform to say just about anything but she remains humble, gracious, and free with her appreciation and love. If there is one message to take from this documentary, as it seems to be her farewell to music, it is that no matter your circumstances, you can always evolve and create the life that you’ve been searching for.
Tina Turner is important to the world of music but she remains a cornerstone to the world of women in media and has paved the way for so many.
Tina is available on HBO Max and Hulu now.
https://www.hulu.com/watch/857744f2-d411-486f-a951-69fd70b847e1
