A daughter's quest to break the cycle of toxic masculinity that casts its shadow over her family and nation.
When Lina's father requests help with an abusive employer in Italy, she feels conflicting emotions for a man who was violent with her and the other women in her family in the past. Lina decides to help him and in so doing confront the most painful parts of her past so as not to repeat them in the future.
"Emotion in a man is weakness. You must have control, an iron fist. Keep your children in check. I worked four jobs and put food on the table. What did I do wrong? You don't listen. I barely touched you. Use your head. Don't talk back."
"To escape the violence I had to look inside myself. If I was not perfect, I was beaten. I felt worthless, shame. He is obsessed. Arguments are endless. It's always my fault. He plays the victim. Love doesn't hurt."
While watching Tata and for a long while afterwards I couldn't drop my preconceived notions of what the film should be about and just let the filmmaker tell her story. I'm happy she finally won this battle in my head. Now, after thinking about the film, I better realize her intentions and meaning. She let her dad speak his mind and play his hand, without judgment, interference, or lack of support. What true journalistic and healing spirit Lina reveals in this documentary. The directors are partners and parents in real life. They attended and answered questions at this world premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.
