He Named Me Malala

"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!

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

I'll have to admit right off the bat that I watched this doc on teen Malala Yousafzai fighting sleep half the time though I managed to keep eyes open most of that period when it showed many of the school buildings that had been blown up after she attended them, courtesy of the Taliban. I did like the scenes of her family as they were now functioning normally in England. It was nice to see her doing well under the public glare after she survived being shot in the head, writing her book, and meeting public figures like Queen Elizabeth and President Obama. I, myself, remember her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert earlier this year as being quite amusing. Nice use of animation when telling tales of her earlier life or of the woman she was named after. So on that note, He Named Me Malala is worth seeing.

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 movie is very inspirational, educational and makes me realize how fortunate I am to have an education and not have to worry about the safety of my life or family.

He Named Me Malala, is a documentary about Malala Yousafzai who takes huge risks to stand up for girls' rights to receive an education in Pakistan. When Malala is 15 years old, she makes public speeches about how she doesn't think the Taliban is doing the right thing by blocking girls from getting an education. One morning on the way to school, members of the Taliban board Malala's school bus, ask for her by name, and try to assassinate her. Malala is shot on the left side of her head and she miraculously survives. After her recovery, she continues to put her own life in danger by speaking out against the Taliban. Fast forward to 2014, at age 17, Malala is the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The relationship between Malala and her father, Ziuddin Yousafzai is very strong and shown throughout the documentary. Malala said that she and her dad have two different bodies but they share one soul. They both speak out and help each other have a voice. Ziuddin named his daughter after a historical Afghanistan woman who courageously went onto the battlefield to fight for freedom. Similarities are shown between the two Malalas, both strong young women willing to take a stand.

My favorite scene is at the beginning of the movie when Malala is at her home with her brothers and Dad having conversations like a tight-knit family. This scene has some comedic relief between Malala and her brothers and this shows she has a normal life.

The message of He Named Me Malala is that we should stand up for what's right and what we believe in no matter the consequences. That can be really difficult to do. Malala really shows what she believes in and says that there is a moment when one should choose to stand or not. Whe chose to speak out. The movie states, "When you educate a girl, it changes our world." Thanks to Malala, more girls are getting educated and our world will be a better place because of it.

I rate this film 5 out of 5 stars because it is very inspirational and shows how one person can really make a difference in the world. I recommend this film for ages 13-18 because it is intense and has actual news videos of murders done by the Taliban.

Reviewed by Lainey A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.