Back in my 20s, I dated someone who was obsessed with politics. Not interested in, not passionate about, obsessed.
Her ultimate aim was to become an MP in the UK Parliament, which she achieved a few years ago. FYI, it’s always jarring to see an ex pop up on the TV news.
For these people, I learned, politics suffuses everything. It’s like they’re wired differently. She could no sooner switch off the political lens through which she saw the world, than stop herself smelling onions, or hearing Christmas songs.
It was inspiring, but it also seemed exhausting. This same combination came to mind watching Charlotte Evans’ Ok Chlöe (2020). It follows New Zealand’s youngest MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, as she grapples with the system she’s determined to change.
In 2019, she launched 1,000 memes and garnered international press coverage when she slapped down a dissenter during a debate with an icily delivered, “Ok boomer.”
But although that moment lends the film its title, Charlotte’s film is more refined than a simple generational tussle.
Her Chlöe is multi-faceted – self-assured with other people but self-reflective on her own. Determined, but frustrated – “Politics is fucked.” Inspiring, but exhausted.
I interviewed Charlotte over email from New Zealand, where she is finishing off a feature-length documentary about Chlöe. You can see more of her work on her website.
Why did you want to tell this story?
Having always felt disconnected from politics, I was drawn to Chlöe because she represented a new wave of young, progressive politicians. Her ability to answer questions directly and call out bad behaviour and inaction fascinated me.
I wanted to know what it was like for her working inside this toxic system and why she continued to fight for change, even when it felt like everything was against her.
What was the biggest challenge?
Mid-way through shooting, the COVID pandemic hit, halting production. As COVID wasn’t part of the story we were trying to tell, we had to down tools and pause filming for three months.
The other major challenge was access to Chlöe. As a high-profile working politician, her diary is hectic and she works around the clock, seven days a week.
So it was a challenge carving out moments to film with her. But when we were able to achieve this, the moments we captured felt incredibly powerful and provided us with a window into her life.
What would you do differently if you made the film again?
Not to discredit our amazing cinematographers who worked on the project, but I probably would have shot a lot of it myself, instead of having a film crew, which can feel intrusive and overwhelming to most people, day in and day out.
We are currently in post-production on my feature documentary and I’ve shot the majority of the film myself to ensure the impact on Chlöe is low, so that I can blend into the background and be nimble and reactive to what the story requires.
What are you most proud of?
I’m proud of the impact it has had on people. Chlöe has been approached by people from all over the world asking her how they can get involved in politics.
This is the sort of grassroots movement that brought Chlöe into politics, with her aim to get more regular people into parliament, and in turn be more of a reflection of the people it represents.
Being acquired by The New Yorker was also a proud moment, as it meant we were able to reach people on an international level and hopefully inspire them to be more engaged with politics.
How did this film change you?
Having never been a person who understood politics or felt a connection to the different communities around me, this film ignited a fire within me.
It has shown me that there is hope when people work together, how important it is to be engaged with politics and encourage others to take notice of the people representing us.
If we disengage we, “keep the power in the hands of those who already have it,” to quote Chlöe herself!
I’ve written before in this newsletter about charisma, and what it looks like on film. I think the challenge must be when you have a subject as charismatic as Chlöe, how do you find different angles to tease out your portrait in unexpected ways?
Charlotte definitely does this – the scene where Chlöe ribs her sister for her needy Facetime etiquette is a particular highlight.
See you in a couple of weeks you rascals.