Official Trailer for ‘Prime Minister’ Doc Following NZ’s Jacinda Ardern
by Alex Billington
May 27, 2025
Source: YouTube
“Crises make governments, and they break governments.” Magnolia Pictures has unveiled their official US trailer for the acclaimed documentary film titled simply Prime Minister, about the former Prime Minister of New Zealand named Jacinda Ardern. One of the youngest PMs in history, Jacinda took office in New Zealand in 2017 at the age of 37. This is her story. The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year to many positive reviews. It chronicles Jacinda Ardern’s tenure as New Zealand PM, with incredible inside access & astounding footage, following her as she navigates crises while redefining global leadership through her empathetic yet resolute approach. One of the best modern politicians. “The world is at a perilous political crossroads. Trust in institutions, expertise, and liberal democracy itself are under dire strain. Which direction will we go? Prime Minister leaves viewers wondering what the world might be like with more Jacindas at the helm.” Indeed. It’s such an inspiring & surprisingly honest portrait of leadership, and even though she eventually had to resign (in 2023), she still deserves all of our respect and admiration.
Here’s the full trailer (+ poster) for Michelle Walshe & Lindsay Utz’s doc Prime Minister, from YouTube:
In August 2017, just before the national elections, Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly became New Zealand’s opposition party leader. She had just turned 37. Two frenetic months later, she was Prime Minister. Just before the final vote was in, she discovered she was pregnant. She would become only the second head of state in history to give birth while in office. Ardern quickly became one of the most recognizable leaders in the world. She drew global attention from people craving a sensitive and compassionate approach to the critical issues of our time. In private, she struggled with being a mother and proving herself to a public skeptical of women’s leadership. A series of crises – the Christchurch massacre, pandemic lockdowns, and disinformation-fueled protests outside Parliament – would test that leadership and the feminine touch she brought to it. She later resigned from office in January 2023, shocking her supporters and critics alike. 🇳🇿
Going behind the scenes of her administration as well as her private life, Prime Minister follows Jacinda for seven years as she is catapulted to the top of New Zealand politics, becomes a feminist political icon, resigns suddenly from office – and yet still continues to champion the fight against isolationism, fear, and the distortion of truth. Intimate home footage shot by her husband and audio interviews that Jacinda did while in office give us unparalleled access. Along with in-depth contemporaneous interviews, these form the emotional backbone of the story, giving viewers an unfiltered window into her years in power. Prime Minister is a documentary film co-directed by filmmakers Michelle Walshe (director of Chasing Great & Kune’s Kitchen previously) & Lindsay Utz (producer on The Greatest Love Story Never Told; editor on the docs Quest, American Factory, Miss Americana, Martha previously) making their first doc film together. Produced by Cass Avery, Clarke Gayford, Leon Kirkbeck, Katie Peck, Gigi Pritzker, and Rachel Shane. This initially premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Magnolia Pics will debut the Prime Minister doc in select US theaters starting June 13th, 2025 this summer. For more visit their official site.
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