With remarkable access, Prime Minister focuses on Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2017 to 2023. Just 37 when she took office, Ardern was the country’s youngest prime minister in more than 150 years. The film weaves public moments from her term with personal footage by Ardern’s partner, Clarke Gayford, who filmed their lives at work and at home. Ardern was just the second elected head of state to give birth while in office, and the film deftly captures the realities of working motherhood, including Ardern in the office nursing her infant daughter. While the film charts significant moments during her leadership, such as her decision to close the borders during the pandemic and the Christchurch mosque shootings, this capsule of her time in office is shown, and heard, through her own recollections rather than interviews with colleagues and admirers. Ardern’s audio recordings reflecting on each week reveal her experiences as she listens to prior recordings and processes what she hears—a recurrence that becomes the backbone of the film. Prime Minister is a remarkably personal document of a rare world leader who demonstrates the potential for all of us to move through life, and governance, with empathy, kindness, and curiosity.  ST

Q&A following screening.