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February 6, 2025It’s not easy to lead a country, and imposter syndrome is definitely possible. Becoming the fortieth president of a nation while not yet forty years old – not to mention newly pregnant – is a considerably heavier burden. But as portrayed in the highly educational and inspiring documentary Prime Minister, New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern did just that and managed to accomplish a great deal in her six years as leader of her government.
This film sets a bold and exciting tone from the start with Ardern explaining those feelings as the election is about to happen, and what ensues from there is a film with remarkable access to its subject. While many world leaders are private and tend to disappear from public view after leaving office, Ardern is seen in every possible state, casually telling her partner that he’s mansplaining, wondering aloud how much she can show of her emotions, and contemplating whether she’s made the right decisions about how to respond to some of the major crises she couldn’t possibly have expected to occur during her time in office.
As with any film about a politician, audiences are bound to come into it with their own preconceived notions and opinions about a person and their views, and the film is likely to frame almost everything in a positive light. Even if bad things happen, the response by the subject should at the very least be portrayed as resilient and morally sound. That’s absolutely the case here, but it’s also hard to argue with her effectiveness. She got assault weapons banned right after a terrorist attack, creating a logical argument and government buyback program that encouraged widespread participation. The most lasting legacy was her swift response to COVID, which got the country back up and running almost immediately before later protests threatened to derail everything. Most auspiciously, and in direct contrast to how American leadership functions, when she realized the people no longer had confidence in her and it was impeding her ability to govern, she resigned.
The benefit of hindsight to look back on these events and frame comments and responses in a revised context certainly exists, but there are plentiful recordings of things Ardern said at the time that she can listen back to which provide a very literal and productive showcase of how she handled each situation. While some decry her ability to be in charge based solely on the fact that she’s a woman and could possibly lead while pregnant (she’s only the second world leader even to do so), it’s precisely that willingness to be guided by and to publicly express feelings that make her a formidable person to be in a position of power that she admits she didn’t even want before her previous party leader resigned and she got elevated to the head of the ticket.
It’s telling that Ardern looks up to Sir Ernest Shackleton, who famously abandoned his expedition plans when his boat got stuck in the ice so that he could save every one of his crew members, as the model of a leader. There’s much to be learned from the way in which she interacts with her constituents and highlights respect and compassion above all, aware that not everyone will be pleased with her policies but resolute that she has the best interests of New Zealand at heart. Directors Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz craft a film that feels like having a personal, unfiltered conversation with Ardern, allowing her to be vulnerable and entirely honest. Those watching from other countries will surely yearn to have someone so willing to listen at the top of their government structures, and this affirming portrait suggests that Ardern, who is now just forty-four years old, still has much to share with and contribute to the world.
Movie Rating: 8/10