Jacinda Ardern’s Documentary Challenges Political Humanity Limits

A new documentary featuring former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is set to premiere in British cinemas this December 2023. The film, titled *Prime Minister*, showcases the challenges of balancing public life with personal responsibilities. It offers an intimate glimpse into Ardern’s life as she navigates motherhood and leadership, providing a candid look at her experiences that many working parents can relate to.

The documentary, initially filmed by her husband for family viewing, captures moments of Ardern in her home environment, including scenes of her breastfeeding and managing phone calls while attending to her young child. This portrayal aligns with Ardern’s broader message advocating for politicians to be seen as human, burdened by the same pressures faced by the public. Her recent memoir, *A Different Kind of Power*, echoes this sentiment, especially in light of the increasing violence and threats directed towards public figures.

Ardern’s push for empathy within political roles raises critical questions about the expectations placed on leaders. While she argues that politicians are human and deserve understanding, there is a fine line where personal appeals may seem like attempts to divert attention from pressing issues. For instance, when politicians like Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves reveal more personal aspects of their lives, such as Starmer’s open letter to his son on International Men’s Day or Reeves expressing frustration at media portrayals, it appears to be a strategy to foster relatability amid challenging political climates.

Yet, the public’s response to these personal revelations can be mixed. People grappling with economic hardships may struggle to empathize with leaders, even those who seem vulnerable. Ardern’s documentary, which received an audience award at the Sundance Film Festival, may resonate differently in her home country. Critics in New Zealand have noted that the film glosses over significant questions regarding her record in office, despite the focus on kindness and empathy.

Evaluating Ardern’s performance through the lens of the Royal Commission on pandemic lessons reveals mixed outcomes. The commission’s report praised her early border closures and the “be strong and be kind” strategy for effectively controlling COVID-19 spread until vaccines became available. This approach allowed New Zealand to experience fewer lockdowns compared to many other countries.

However, the same report highlighted the negative consequences of strict quarantine measures, which left many foreign students stranded and separated families, causing psychological distress. Additionally, Ardern’s decision to mandate vaccination for certain jobs and public gatherings was deemed reasonable but also alienated some individuals, leading to lingering resentment toward health authorities.

These findings raise a stark contrast when compared to the responses from the British COVID Inquiry, which criticized former Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his handling of the pandemic. While Ardern’s leadership is viewed positively in hindsight, it is essential to recognize that no leader can achieve perfection, especially in crisis situations where decisions often have significant and far-reaching consequences.

The reality of leadership is that even the best efforts do not always yield ideal results. In situations demanding extraordinary responses, the limitations of even the most capable leaders become apparent. As audiences watch Ardern’s story unfold on screen, they may confront their own judgments about leadership and humanity. The ability to accept that leaders are not infallible may be as challenging as it is necessary.

In the end, the documentary serves as a reminder that while politicians like Jacinda Ardern strive to balance their responsibilities, the expectations placed upon them can be overwhelming. As society reflects on the complexities of leadership, it must also acknowledge its own imperfections and the shared humanity that connects us all.