He Named Me Malala

Great companion to the book. Secondary, nevertheless. The book is much more powerful.

Academy Award Winning Director Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth - 2006) graciously guides the viewing audience into the life and times of Malala Yousafzi, the young Pakistani girl (youngest Nobel Prize Winner - 2014) who was shot in her school bus (along with two friends) in 2012 by the Taliban. At the heart of this educational and heartwarming film is the relatable and kind Malala, the daughter of outspoken father Toor Pekai, reserved mother Khushal and sister to two equally enjoyable brothers Ziauddin and Atal. Through personal interviews that bring forth the light that shines within Malala and her family, we learn of her upbringing, gain insight into her family and community, and learn of her writing relationship with the BBC before and through the rise of the Taliban. Making the story accessible (especially to the younger audience), Guggenheim perfectly intertwines (though animation) the story behind Malala's name - the name comes from a Pashtun woman who encouraged the Afghan forces to fight on during the Battle of Maiwand. This is a remarkable story that deserves to be told and experienced by all, especially today's young women. "Let us pick-up our books and our pencils. They are our most powerful weapon". Look for this one to move right to the top for Award consideration.

"He Named Me Malala" (2015 release; 88 min.) is a documentary about Malala Yousafzai, the remarkable young lady from Pakistan, whom the Taliban tried to assassinate because she stood up for the right to an education for young girls. As the movie opens, we are told (via animation) where the name Malala comes from (an Afghani folk hero who encouraged/inspired the Afghan army in their battle against the UK). We then immediately switch to the footage of Malala's wounded body being treated after the Taliban's assassination attempt in October 2012--yes, almost 3 years ago to the date). The documentary then switches to "Birmingham, England, 2013", where we see Malala with her two brothers and her parents. To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from director David Guggenheim, best known for previous efforts such as Waiting for Superman, and It Might Get Loud. Here he tackles a difficult task, namely how to make an enticing documentary about a remarkable person, without coming across as simply wanting to 'glorify' that person. The answer, as it turns out, is quite simple: show us that person (in this case Malala) in their natural environment, and let us observe the REAL person. And then Guggenheim has another ace up his sleeve: he lets us catch glimpses (and more) of how the Taliban slowly but surely changes the Swat Valley in Pakistan, where Malala and her family lived. I must say, I was quite shocked at what I saw: the Taliban's brutality and determination knows no boundaries. As Malala (or was it her dad) observes at one point: "For the Taliban, it is not about faith, it is about power". Speaking of Malala's dad, it turns out he is quite remarkable well. I wondered why the movie wasn't simply called "I Am Malala" (her autobiography, from which the movie of course borrows), but now that I've seen it, it makes perfect sense, as this is a documentary not just about Malala but also very much about her dad. There is various remarkable archive footage in the documentary about the Taliban, her dad, and of course Malala herself. I must admit that I was worried how the makers of this documentary were going to fill an hour and a half in a way that would keep my attention. I shouldn't have worried. This is a moving documentary that, frankly, left me even more in awe of Malala than I already was. And to think this young lady is still only 18 years old as we speak! I am humbled and also a little inspired after seeing this.

"He Named Me Malala" opened yesterday (yes, Thursday is the new Friday), and the screening where I saw this at here in Cincinnati was attended okay but not great. That is a darn shame. I, for one, happen to think that "He Named me Malala" should be required viewing for all kids in the US grades 6 and up, and certainly I hope that many adults will see this too. "He Named Me Malala" is an inspired, and inspiring, documentary and is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

While a documentary can have the distance approach, it would have been difficult to sell this one. This is all about feeling, all about emotion and all about emancipation. It is also about freedom and unity. About misunderstandings and clarifications. There is so much going on, that it's amazing it's not a longer movie/running time.

It works on almost all these levels, people are familiar with the person (be it because of her TV appearances or her nominations). But it's still something different to see her personally or learn about her family and her father. You have to be a strong person to survive the things she has to face, but she still remains "human" (if that is a thing to say). A strong message is delivered and a powerful movie made ...

This is actually not a review but I found it very interesting that there are some reviews here which are quite negative. At least some of them from Pakistanis who took this very personal. But I personally think (and hope) the most viewers are mature in their opinions and not necessairly base their opinion about whole Pakistan based just on this movie. It was clearly not an aim of the film to show only the raw facts and overview about situation in the whole country. I believe that what happened to Malala in the Swat valley was real, Talibans are real and the problem is real.

Moreover, I think it was clear from the movie that the bound of Malala with her father is strong and they actually received the Nobel price together (if I'm not mistaken). Not sure why to accuse him of creating a puppet from his daughter. Of course, parents have a great influence on their kids. Even if they got pretty much independent in life it always starts with their parents. The father of Malala himself got a huge inspiration from his father. I don't see anything abnormal there.

I know there could be an endless discussion about the movie and the politics related to the issues presented in it. And this is clearly not a place for that... Anyways, I hope people will be critical towards what they saw in the movie (and in life) and get some inspiration from it. One has always to read between the lines and not take things too serious.

Peace.