Jacinda Ardern to Promote Documentary in Glasgow Next Month

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern is set to visit Glasgow on November 21, 2023, to promote a documentary film that chronicles her time in office. She will participate in a question-and-answer session following a screening of the film, titled Prime Minister, at the Glasgow Film Theatre. This event marks her only in-person appearance outside London for the film’s promotion.

The documentary, which won the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, offers an intimate look at Dame Jacinda’s leadership through a combination of personal footage filmed by her husband and previously unheard audio recordings from her tenure as New Zealand’s leader. Co-directors Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe provide a behind-the-scenes perspective on her administration and personal life, highlighting significant events such as the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, which resulted in 51 deaths, and the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Insights into Ardern’s Leadership Journey

The film begins with Dame Jacinda’s rise to prominence, starting with her appointment as leader of the Labour Party in August 2017, just weeks before the general election that led to her becoming prime minister. At the age of 37, she made history as the youngest female head of government in the world. She gained further recognition when she became the second elected head of government to give birth while in office, welcoming her daughter in June 2018.

In January 2023, Ardern announced her resignation from the prime ministership, citing that she “didn’t have enough in the tank” to continue in the role. Her memoir, A Different Kind of Power, was released in June 2023, reflecting on her experiences and the challenges she faced during her time in office.

Tickets for the Glasgow screening of Prime Minister, including the Q&A session with Dame Jacinda, will be available for purchase starting on October 28, 2023, at 13:30 from glasgowfilm.org and the GFT Box Office. The film is scheduled for a wider release in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on December 5, 2023.

Dame Jacinda’s visit to Glasgow is not only a significant moment for the film but also a reflection of her lasting impact on both New Zealand and the global stage as a leader who navigated unprecedented challenges during her tenure.