Prime Minister is a fascinating and entertaining behind the scenes look at the human being behind the politics.
In 2017 the leader of the New Zealand opposition party resigned on the eve of the elections. That one decision would change the life of the Rt Hon Dame Jacinda Ardern forever.
Deciding to take up the challenge, Ardern was immediately challenged about her age, she was 37, and gender. When asked whether she thought she could do the job her reply was an early indication of what was to come.
“Would you like to tell me why you think I can’t?”
With only eight weeks until the election she conceded there was no time to redesign herself into what the public expected from a potential leader, she could only be herself. Meanwhile some of those around her told her to just “keep the furniture”, they didn’t expect her to win.
History shows that just two months later she was elected the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand. What we didn’t know was that just before the result she found out she was pregnant. This made her only the second head of state in history to give birth while in office.
We also didn’t know that throughout the seven year leadership her partner and her made short videos about what was happening behind the scenes both in their lives and the administration.
Prime Minister the movie, is a fascinating fly on the wall documentary about their lives.
We watch a Prime Minister portraying a more empathetic leadership than we’re used to. Realizing the political cycle of three years she set about writing her goals for the next 100 days. Her time in office would see her oversee the Christchurch massacre, Covid and pandemic lockdowns.
The movie is as much about her partner and their teamwork as it is about a Prime Ministers’ journey. We see them managing parenthood and marriage while under intense media intrusion.
Continuing to live outside the mold, Ardern surprised everyone by resigning in January 2023.
As I watched on I pondered:
- One of her interesting insights was how we underestimate what we’re capable of until we’re doing it;
- It was refreshing to hear her discuss imposter syndrome;
- The movie provides a reminder of what we went through with Covid;
- It also highlights the immense worth of a great partner;’
- The movie should be compulsory for anyone considering public office at any level;
- But it should not be limited to them as we can all learn a lot about leadership, power, truth, gender, isolation, stepping up, what’s important in life and most of all that our leaders are human beings first;
- Who knew a movie about politics could be so insightful and entertaining.
For more information go to Luna Cinema. In cinemas from Nov 6
