Prime Minister

In the trailer for this documentary, Jacinda Ardern juggles her role as Prime Minister of New Zealand with pregnancy and a newborn baby. The major events that occurred during her tenure are also alluded to; the March 15 terrorist attacks, the White Island disaster, and the 2022 occupation of Parliament. Co-directed by Auckland-based Michelle Walshe (Chasing Great) and American Lindsay Utz, the film spans seven years and includes intimate home footage shot by Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford (who is also one of the producers). The film won audience awards at both the Sundance and Sydney film festivals.

The word kindness comes up over and over in Prime Minister as the key to Jacinda Ardern's political philosophy. That sounds gooey and naive, but this disarming and intimate documentary about her six years as New Zealand’s head of government shows it to be the effective basis for a career that made her a global political star.  

– Hollywood Reporter reviewer Caryn James, 24 January 2025

Key Cast & Crew

Clarke Gayford

Cinematographer, Producer

Michelle Walshe

Co-Director

Sofia delgi Alessandri

Composer

Leon Kirkbeck

Cinematographer, Producer

Lindsay Utz

Co-Director

Thorsten Thielow

Producer, Cinematographer