Prime Minister

For me this was the perfect movie. From 1971 to 1978 I lived in Wellington, half a mile from Parliament Building (in one direction), and half a mile from Premier House (in another direction) where Jacinda Ardern and Clark took up residence in 2017. When I arrived on those shores there had not yet been a New Zealand feature-length move. How things have changed -- I gazed in wonder at my old Thorndon neighborhood, fifty years older now. As I left the theater I thought that this must be the best of documentaries. Jacinda could be nominated for an Oscar, but that might not be right -- she wasn't acting, she was just being her incredible self.

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

I may not be familiar with Jacinda Ardern but this documentary is a good examination of Ardern's role and views as a former Prime Minister, and the struggles she encountered and went through in the past. Captured with good footage, direction, and approach, the documentary features a good sense of realism and humane atmospheres. Demonstrating both the political aspect and personal aspects Ardern is facing.

The filmmakers are able to humanize Ardern on an emotional level. Being able to understand her more thoroughly and understand why she believed things this way and that way. Ardern might not been a perfect person but her passion and her ambitious views demonstrates how difficult and challenging as a Prime Minister can be.

Nice. Kept me engaged and interested. Having been to New Zealand just prior to the major events taking place (the mosque, weapons ban and covid) it was interesting to see how Ardern's views and decisions were made based on being a mother with her small newborn daughter. I think the documentary was able to capture the stress, the feelings, the anxiety, the immense responsibility that any politician or decision maker might feel during a stint in office. Certainly nothing to take lightly and I feel that the film makers ability to capture that mantle that lies on world leaders was fantastic. I applaud PM Jacinda Ardern for her resolve as such a young female leader.

Very few global leaders would allow themselves to seen so raw and affected over such a long period. And then reflect back on their past so candidly. Hats off to the filmmakers spent years alongside in both the public and private arena. Irrespective of 'left and right' politics, and 'taking sides' this is an insight into what it really means to have the weight of a nation on your shoulders through an unscripted pandemic, the worse terrorist attack a nation has faced, a volcanic eruption, a pregnancy and raising an infant to child, all the while being scrutinised to levels no male politician would ever face.

Had to write something .

I really enjoyed learning about Jacinda, New Zealand's politics, and how the big world events happened for the Kiwis. I'm also shocked by the in moment videos that Jacinda's husband took, which added a lot of insight into how she thinks and reacts to the major events during her tenure.

The live Q&A after was also a treat and gave us a little more color on her experience and what she's doing now. I definitely recommend people go watch this and make a judgment for yourself, but one thing for sure, it would not be boring at all.