My Year With Helen (2017)

A documentary about Helen Clark as she runs for the post of Secretary-General of United Nations. Duration 93 minutes.

Reviews

"The veteran Kiwi filmmaker is also on hand though to capture Clark at her most charismatic, persuasive and human – whether it's empowering Botswanan women, inspiring interns or filling her nonagenarian father George's deep freeze with a year's worth of readymade meals. An entertaining and enlightening watch." Read full review on stuff.co.nz

“Ms Clark agreed to let filmmaker Gaylene Preston and her crew follow the campaign, giving unprecedented insight into the inner sanctum of the United Nations. This access is what makes this film feel so special, the opportunity to see what Ms Clark's uphill struggle there looks like up close and personal, while at the same time sharing in some of her smaller yet significant victories along the way.” Read full review on newshub.co.nz

Synopsis

In MY YEAR WITH HELEN, the filmmaker Gaylene Preston travels alongside Helen Clark as she works on global development issues as head of the UNDP while also campaigning for the post of Secretary-General and staying in daily contact with her 94-year-old father back in New Zealand.

With unique access to high-ranking candidate Helen Clark, award-winning filmmaker Gaylene Preston casts a wry eye on proceedings as the United Nations turns itself inside-out choosing a new SG. Her cameras explore the cracks between the diplomats, the embedded press and feminist activists as they push for change while caught up in a power process as secretive and patriarchal as the selection of the Pope.