Primeira-Ministra

This is quite possibly the worst documentary I've ever seen. Don't waste your time. It plays more like a self-congratulatory PR piece than an honest account. Rather than offering a balanced view, it's just Jacinda Ardern telling the world how kind, caring, and empathetic she supposedly was - a narrative many New Zealanders know doesn't reflect reality. There's no serious scrutiny, no opposing voices, and no acknowledgment of the damage done during her time in office. As a New Zealander myself, I found the whole thing deeply offensive - a tone-deaf attempt to rewrite history. Truly embarrassing stuff.

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.

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.

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.

I had to write a review though I very rarely do. I'm an American expat and a New Zealand citizen. Experiencing first hand the Jacinda years, especially as a comparison against the Trump years, she was an amazing and inspirational national leader. This film accurately captures what it was like during her tenure and how all of the country felt towards her, good and bad. What happened at the end of her tenure is a national disgrace. We lost a great leader and this film accurately portrays this too. It also happens to be a very well made documentary, fully engaging from beginning to end. Negative reviews are clearly political and from the opposition. Review the film and leave your politics at the door.