PRIME MINISTER begins in August 2017 with the dramatic the lead-up to national 
elections. Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly became New Zealand’s opposition party 
leader. She had just turned 37. Two frenetic months later, she becomes 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. 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 resigned from office in January 2023, shocking her supporters and critics alike. Going behind the scenes of her administration and 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 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. Co-directors Michelle Walshe (CHASING GREAT) and Lindsay Utz (BILLIE EILISH: THE WORLD’S A LITTLE BLURRY) to talk about the treasure trove of footage shot by Jacinda’s husband Clarke Gayford, gaining access to Jacinda and the people in her life and what leadership looks like in a world where women are in charge.
For more go to: primeministerdoc.com
About the filmmaker – Michelle Walshe is an accomplished director who began her career in prime-time television before moving to documentary filmmaking to tell stories that resonate deeply with audiences. In 2008, she co-founded Dark Doris, known for projects like HOT POTATO: THE STORY OF THE WIGGLES – where she served as Executive Producer – and GIRL ON THE BRIDGE, a powerful exploration of the mental health crisis. In 2016, Walshe directed CHASING GREAT, New Zealand’s highest-grossing documentary of all time, breaking box office records and earning critical acclaim. She also directed the scripted comedy series SHORT POPPIES with Rhys Darby, showcasing her versatility in storytelling. A passionate advocate for female empowerment, Walshe creates films that inspire positive impact for both people and the planet. She was nominated for Best Documentary Director at the New Zealand Film Awards and remains dedicated to creating and enabling meaningful films and projects that drive social change
About the filmmaker – Lindsay Utz is an award-winning filmmaker who has worked on some of the most high-profile documentaries of the last decade, including editing the 2020 Academy Award winner AMERICAN FACTORY. PRIME MINISTER is her feature directorial debut. Her other editing credits include MARTHA (2024), CIVIL (2022), the Oscar-shortlisted BILLIE EILISH: THE WORLD’S A LITTLE BLURRY (2021), MISS AMERICANA (2020), QUEST (2017), IN COUNTRY (2014), and BULLY (2011). QUEST, one of four films she has premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, was nominated for both Emmy and Peabody Awards, and won the Cinema Eye Honors Award for Outstanding Achievement in Editing. She has been nominated for every major editing award in her field, including Primetime Emmy nominations for her work on both AMERICAN FACTORY and BILLIE EILISH: THE WORLD’S A LITTLE BLURRY. In 2023 she produced the first documentary out of Ben Affleck’s newly-formed company Artists Equity, which premiered at number one on Amazon Prime in February 2024. She is currently building her own company, Win Win Pictures, which has multiple projects at various stages of production and development. Her work has screened at major festivals around the world, and has been included in prestigious archives such as the MoMA film library and The Criterion Collection. She is a member of the Documentary branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and American Cinema Editors. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters.
SOCIAL MEDIA
facebook.com/MagnoliaPictures
instagram.com/heymadisonwells
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instagram.com/jacindaardern
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“World leaders have rarely been captured with as much intimacy.” – Siddhant Adlakha, Variety
“In politics as in documentary filmmaking, access is everything — and “Prime Minister” directors Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz get extraordinary access and use it to create a fascinating, emotional portrait of … Jacinda Ardern.” – Sean P. Means, The Movie Cricket
““Prime Minister” reminds us, the role that the internet and sharply ideological news sources play in our lives shifted dramatically in just the years Ardern was in office.” – Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times
“Even if you’ve sworn off politics and vowed to shun the callousness of nihilistic senators such as Joni Ernst, you’ll want to do yourself the favor of sharing 90 minutes with one of the world’s most remarkable women.” – Al Alexander, Movies Thru the Spectrum
“timelier than anyone might have expected” – Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter
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