Prime Minister, directed by Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz, has premiered at Sundance, offering a comprehensive look at Jacinda Ardern’s five-year tenure as New Zealand’s Prime Minister. Through home videos, archival footage, and fresh interviews, the documentary traces her unexpected rise and impactful leadership.
Ardern became leader of the Labour Party in 2017, just six weeks before an election her party was expected to lose. Riding a wave of enthusiasm dubbed “Jacindamania,” the then-37-year-old defied the odds, leading her party to victory and becoming the world’s youngest female leader at the time.
Speaking to the Sundance audience, Ardern expressed her hope that the film would humanize people in leadership. “The filmmakers took the opportunity to tell the whole story – the highs, the lows, the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
Her time in office was marked by historic milestones and crises, including becoming the second world leader to give birth while in office, responding to New Zealand’s worst terror attack, and navigating the Covid-19 pandemic. Ardern’s emphasis on empathy, humanity, and kindness elevated her to a global icon of progressive politics. However, her legacy became more complicated toward the end of her term, as her government struggled to address the housing crisis and reduce emissions. She also faced rising hostility from anti-vaccine and anti-mandate groups, culminating in violent protests and personal threats.
In January 2023, Ardern surprised New Zealanders by announcing her resignation, citing burnout. “I no longer had enough in the tank,” she said.
The documentary includes intimate home footage shot by Ardern’s husband, Clarke Gayford, as well as classified audio diaries offering insight into her experiences. Speaking to Deadline, Ardern shared that her motivation to document her time in office stemmed from her appreciation for history and a desire to create a record for her family. She also wanted to acknowledge Gayford’s contributions. “When you are in public office, there’s not always a lot of light shone on the people who are supporting you … I didn’t do the job alone and I didn’t raise my daughter on my own.”
The filmmakers described their wealth of material as “an embarrassment of riches,” praising both the personal footage and the audio diaries for their raw and intimate perspective.
Since leaving office, Ardern has taken on fellowship roles at Harvard University, continued her work on the Christchurch Call to combat online extremism, joined the board of trustees for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, and announced the upcoming release of her memoir, A Different Kind of Power.
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