Mrs. Robinson
Directed by Aoife Kelleher, 2024
Few countries are fortunate enough to have an active statesman who has served as its president; head of one of the UN’s most politically sensitive agencies (human rights); president of the UN Wise Men (a council formed to improve global governance) and whose “retirement” had been characterized by vigorous activism in favor of the environment and human rights. The life and international impact of Mary Robinson, Ireland’s first female president, was highlighted in this production which will intrigue IR students and instructors, as well as anyone interested in IR history. UN and NGO activism.
Robinson maintains a strong imprint in the formal processes of the United Nations system and in the broader phenomenon of global environmentalism. Indeed, she has often been criticized for sitting awkwardly between these two controversial stools. This film tells her story “warts and all” and was well received by Mary in her blunt admission: “I’m glad my mistakes were covered up.”
By contributing to the making of this film, this writer would observe that Ms. Robinson was keen to avoid reproducing a sanitized film version of her life or career. When people talk nostalgically about his presidency, they forget how many controversial decisions had to be made during that time. We had to fight for women’s rights and civil rights. As for the UN, this organization is renowned for opening the eyes of the saints. She didn’t always do things well and never claimed to do so. But this filmographic evidence suggests that Robinson strove to do what she believed was right, even when it was unpopular.
Structurally, the subject’s life gives resonance to the filmography. There are reels of family clips. The viewer may seem frustrated by the speed of an intrigue which finds her momentarily in a family imbroglio about her marriage to the historian Nick Robinson, then a speech to the Senate. Ireland regards Mary Robinson as an effective and popular president and, overall, the international community applauds what she accomplished at the UN and since. This film was made with his full collaboration and there is a certain (perhaps inevitable) tone of national homage. All of these biographical films are, by nature, contextualized for a receiving audience. At times, director Aoife Kelleher intervenes as if to call this self-celebration to account and dissect some of the controversies generated by Mary Robinson, at each stage of this eighty-year journey.
Mary Robinson was something of a lone jurist when she defended the illegal pro-contraception activities of Irish feminists, or when she controversially visited the North or met the late Queen Elizabeth II. She was not a universally popular UN leader, and her 2001 World Conference Against Racism, held in Durban, South Africa, was a political disaster. She has never been afraid of controversy and the film captures some of the “highs and lows” of a career spent in the eye of the camera.
Kelleher was able to speak candidly to Robinson and there are some confessional notes in which the listener will feel privileged to see how a powerful stateswoman must personally fight against formidable global forces. Diplomatic life is not for those looking to enter a popularity contest. We see some of the personal effort required to push through decisions, and perhaps also the privileges that come with high office. Her statements are typically authentic and genuinely moving, but in this film she appears prominently as a leading figure in the exclusive cabin of an airplane or luxury car, while traveling the world to prevent change climatic. There is an inevitable elite in his life – Trinity, Senate, Harvard, Aras, Palais des Nations – state dinners, receptions and attendants offering personal hair styling. Knowing more about the “personal Mary” would have been welcome.
And his biggest mistakes? Well, she speaks honestly about the dilemma she felt in resigning as president to become a United Nations human rights commissioner. She suggests that running a UN agency is “not a task for the faint of heart, and that sometimes UN politics would evaporate the patience of a saint.” She regrets the time stolen from her family life and the inevitable solitude of a senior international civil servant. She also readily talks about her personal involvement in the Dubai Princess kidnapping affair and how she sometimes “gained a lot of confidence”. Ms Robinson had described Princess Latifa as a “troubled young woman” after meeting her at a lunch hosted by the Dubai royal family in 2018. Princess Latifa had tried to flee the country earlier that year, and Mrs Robinson later said she had been “misled” into vouching for the princess’s safety.
RTÉ Entertainment recently asked whether making the new film had allowed her to put an end to the various controversies she had endured in her high office? Ms. Robinson responded: “Especially with the presidency… the truth was that I was afraid that (UNSG) Kofi Annan would not wait for me… and I had no other choice… I understood that it was really a mistake. ” visiting) Princess Latifa (to be raised) in the film – I was very happy that Aoife included her – because it was just a big mistake. And people make mistakes.
Kelleher faces a difficult task in trying to portray the inspiring story of a young girl from Ballina becoming a successful lawyer, politician, president and UN supremo. It’s certainly not a ‘rags to riches story’, but at the same time his meteoric career expresses a social fluidity that Ireland has never experienced before. His presidency and that of his immediate predecessor, Patrick Hillery, could not be less similar. A politically outspoken lawyer and senator early in her career, her presidential vote in 1990 was a bombshell for an Irish society that, at the time, had barely embraced societal change.
As United Nations High Commissioner, she risked her job by controversially standing up to international human rights abusers without fear or favor. No one could accuse Robinson of bias in the application of UN censorship. This film captures the decisiveness of a woman from a small country traditionally respectful of the United States. However, Washinton was never spared when the High Commissioner turned to tough questions, which created enemies on the Hill. She was particularly vocal about capital punishment.
At 80, she remains president of The Elders; the independent group of world leaders (founded by Nelson Mandela) that pushes for peace, justice and human rights. She is also the leading advocate for the Dandelion Project: a women-led campaign for climate justice. Kelleher presents Robinson as a very articulate commentator and allows her to tell her own story. These words are sincere and sometimes imbued with the bitter pain of honesty. We could all learn something from the frank act of public reflection that is inherent in sharing a cinematic life.
So while this film may seem elitist, this reviewer would encourage students to carefully examine the secondary action, not only in Ireland as she built her career, but also the rocky journey that every statesman endures . So we get fleeting glimpses of conversations and arguments, sometimes even on camera. Neither elections nor street politics are pleasant spectacles, whether it is a humble city council or the noble election of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The viewer may leave this film with a little more respect for the trappings that come with occupying an office at the Palais Wilson in Geneva when they see the dogfights Mary endured in the corridors of power, whether at Dublin, Geneva or New York.
Explaining why she decided to make a film about her life, Ms Robinson admitted that she “actually wasn’t keen on the idea, at first”, until her late friend Bride Rosney persuaded her. “And now the film is dedicated to him,” Ms. Robinson said. She added: “It also gives me a sense of closure and might encourage the next generation, especially women, to consider a career in politics… Getting into politics is harder now – with social media… So it takes a lot of courage…”
Those who watch this film may be surprised to learn that Mary Robinson admits that she was a rather anxious student and insists that “people shouldn’t let their shyness hold them back…I wanted to be able to speak – and I “I really had to work at it…” IR students will find this film a candid portrait of the “highs and lows” of a life spent in the public spotlight and the obstacles encountered at the height of filmmaking. decision in a world organization such as the UN.
Further Reading on International Electronic Relations