"Prime Minister" with Michelle Walshe & Lindsay Utz
During Jacinda Ardern’s historic run as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2017 - 2023, she became a worldwide phenomenon and icon of the Left. From the pandemic to a horrific mass shooting in NZ, Jacinda faced a series of major crises, as well as a media crush that followed her everywhere. But during those tumultuous times, one thing remained unknown: what was it like for the person at the center of these events to experience all that — and, simultaneously, being a new mother as well? In Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz’s enthralling documentary “Prime Minister,” we now get to hear from the former PM herself.
Michelle and Lindsay join Ken on the pod to describe what it was like to embark on this journey of self-reflection with Jacinda Ardern. Relying on a combination of intimate home movie footage shot by Jacinda’s husband, news clips and original material, the two directors put us right back in the middle of these events, as well as offer Jacinda’s insightful perceptive on what it means to her now and where to go from here.
“Prime Minister” is in theatrical release by Magnolia Pictures.
Hidden Gem:
Lindsay: “Time”
Michelle: “Navalny”, “The Jinx”
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The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.
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"Sally" with Cristina Costantini
In elementary school, Emmy Award-winning director Cristina Costantini (“Science Fair”) was a science nerd who idolized astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. Cristina even painted a mural of Sally on one of her elementary school’s walls. Fast forward to today and National Geographic Documentary Films has just released Cristina’s terrific new feature-length documentary about the astronaut called simply, “Sally.”
Cristina joins Ken on the pod to share her lifelong admiration of Sally Ride and to discuss this nuanced, three-dimensional portrait that examines Sally’s private and public lives in equal measure. Tam O’Shaughnessy, Sally’s life partner of 27 years, serves as the documentary’s central storyteller, and from Tam and others, we get a fuller picture of Sally than ever before. We also learn of the high cost paid by both women for keeping their relationship a secret until Sally’s early death from cancer at age 61. By the end, we find ourselves as dazzled by this timeless love story as we are by Sally’s historic blast into space.
“Sally” is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
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The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.
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"Simone Biles Rising" with Katie Walsh
It makes sense that Simone Biles, winner of 11 Olympic medals, and considered by many to be the greatest gymnast of all time, would stick to a consistent pre-competition ritual to prepare for battle. But, as filmmaker Katie Walsh shows in one of the more intimate scenes in her exceptional four-part Netflix docuseries, “Simone Biles Rising,” the big surprise comes when we see that the hair braiding skills of Simone’s mom Nellie might be the most important part of this ritual. This simple act of touch prior to each day’s competition says it all about the close bond between mother and daughter and the person Simone turns to in the most difficult moments.
Katie joins Ken on “Top Docs” to talk about this special relationship between Simone and Nellie and what it was like to document the highs and lows of Simone’s remarkable career. The series begins with Simone’s shocking case of the “twisties” at the 2021 Tokyo Games that caused her to withdraw from the sport she’d come to dominate. Over the course of the series, Katie captures all the key moments as Simone, with the support of her family and close network of friends, finds her way back to gold medal glory. But, just as important, as a powerful advocate for mental health, Simone challenges society’s expectations of its most celebrated athletes — and once again rises above.
“Simone Biles Rising” is streaming on Netflix.
Hidden Gem:
“Daughters”
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The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.
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Anatomy of a Scene from "Will and Harper" with Josh Greenbaum
Director Josh Greenbaum returns to “Top Docs” to discuss the poignant and culminating closing sequence in his deeply moving documentary “Will & Harper.” In the film, close friends Will Farrell and Harper Steele embark on a road trip across America to get everything out in the open about Harper’s recent transition and to support her new life as a trans woman.
With the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, the road trip and the film come down to these final crucial moments. Josh elaborates on his cinematographers’ instinctive and skillful camerawork, as well as themes, music, edting and lighting. Nothing does more to leave a lasting and deeply felt impression on an audience than a formally successful and emotionally satisfying ending. “Will & Harper” lands its ending about as perfectly as a golden Southern California sunset.
“Will & Harper” is streaming on Netflix. Please enjoy our original “Top Docs” podcast with Josh from earlier this year discussing “Will & Harper.”
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The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.
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Anatomy of a Scene from "Martha" with R.J. Cutler
R.J. Cutler returns to the pod to dig in deeper to his Netflix documentary on Martha Stewart, “Martha”. R.J. and Mike turn their eyes to a few minutes early on (starting about minute 15 if you want to watch along), when a young Martha Stewart pursues motherhood, Wall Street, and ultimately Turkey Hill to become “Martha”. R.J. explains how every element–cinematography, archive, editing, graphic design, music–both propels Martha forward towards her seemingly inevitable iconic status while simultaneously pulling her back towards her humble roots.
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The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.
New Zealand