A documentary traversing former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s leadership and personal life through home videos, archival footage and fresh interviews has premiered at Sundance.
Ardern’s shock win was quickly followed by a succession of head-turning events, including becoming the world’s second leader to give birth while in office and grappling with national crises including the country’s worst terror attack and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Towards the end of her time in office, Ardern’s legacy at home became more complicated, and she faced criticism over her government’s failure to make headway on its promises to fix the housing crisis and meaningfully reduce emissions.
The film includes footage shot by Clarke Gayford, the husband of the former New Zealand prime minister.
Speaking to the Sundance audience, Ardern said she hoped the film would help humanise people in leadership.
