Jacinda Ardern’s New Documentary “Prime Minister” Gears Up for Oscar Voting
Jacinda Ardern Shines as Sundance Star with Documentary Premiere
At the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, all eyes seemed to be on a different kind of star—former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who drew considerable attention and excitement. This enthusiasm overshadowed other notable figures attending the festival, including Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Colman, Daniel Kaluuya, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Sara Bareilles.
Ardern, who resigned from her position in January 2023, attended the event to launch Prime Minister, a documentary about her life and leadership, directed by Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe. The film chronicles her rise to power, showcasing the unique challenges she faced upon becoming Labor Party leader in 2017.
“During our time at Sundance, we could not move anywhere without being stopped,” Utz reflected, also noting the charm of Ardern’s husband, Clarke Gayford, who garnered significant attention.
The documentary recently premiered on CNN and is available for streaming on HBO Max and CNN’s platform. It details Ardern’s unexpected ascent to leadership at the age of 37, following the abrupt resignation of her predecessor due to poor polling, and highlights her unorthodox rise without the typical preparatory grooming for a leader.
Utz remarked, "I think what Jacinda did was show up unapologetically as herself. She didn’t even know she was going to be the prime minister." This authenticity resonated with voters, allowing Ardern to maintain leadership through various crises, including the tragic Christchurch mosque shooting in 2019 that claimed 51 lives. Her swift legislative action following the attack, including substantial changes to gun laws, solidified her standing among constituents.
Ardern’s leadership faced further tests during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she earned international praise for her handling of the crisis. However, the documentary also illustrates the backlash she received from anti-vaccine groups and political adversaries.
In January 2023, amidst growing pressures and the demands of motherhood—she welcomed her daughter Neve in 2018—Ardern chose to step down. “I think she was really burnt out,” Utz observed, emphasizing the toll of her responsibilities, "There’s not enough fuel in the tank."
Later, Ardern accepted a fellowship at Harvard and has since published a memoir titled A Different Kind of Power, reflecting her distinct political philosophy. Currently, she serves as a Distinguished Fellow at Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government.
Utz shared his gratitude for the opportunity to work with Ardern and Gayford. “They really are as lovely in person as they are in the film,” he remarked, eagerly anticipating future interactions now that the family is residing in the UK.
The film, now in contention for the Academy Awards, promises to provide further opportunities for Ardern to engage with audiences, continuing the warmth and humor captured in her story. Grace Zahrah, who edited the documentary, recalled an encounter with Neve, affirming the child’s charm and intelligence.
Utz added, "It was really important to us to keep that humor alive throughout the film," aiming to deliver an engaging experience that captures the multifaceted nature of Ardern’s journey.
