He Named Me Malala

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Abby H He Named Me Malala tastefully provided a fresh take on Malala’s story of courage and strength. Malala Yousafzai has become one of today’s most well-known activists. Her story has received international attention, and her biography was an instant bestseller. With all of this coverage, director Davis Guggenheim faced a herculean task: give audiences something new. As a reader familiar with Malala’s book, I was skeptical going into this film. However, I was blown away by Guggenheim’s fresh perspective. While Malala’s book focuses on her history and the events that led to her attempted assassination, He Named Me Malala focuses on Malala herself. Guggenheim shows her playing with her brothers and talking about her most recent school papers. She giggles over boys and shows her friends card tricks. These small, mundane aspects of everyday life bring a new element to Malala’s story: she is a regular teenage girl. She changed the world, but it could have been anyone in her place. For me, these quiet, common moments of her story make her victory more powerful. Malala did not ask to be a hero; all she did was stand up for what is right. Beyond the story, this movie is beautiful. Animations accompany many flashbacks, depicting Malala’s life in Swat valley. Though Swat is often seen as a terrible place due to the Talibanization, these animations treat Malala’s home with the utmost respect. Swat valley is drawn as a beautiful place, overflowing with life, just as Malala describes it in her account. This beauty helps audiences empathize with Malala’s homesickness. Overall, He Named Me Malala is an amazing tribute to an amazing person. Its authenticity lingers with audiences, inspiring them long after they finish the film. It is rare to find a documentary so respectful and purposeful in its purpose, but He Named Me Malala is both in exceeding amounts. I would highly recommend this movie to all who wish to make a difference in the world. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/25/25 Full Review Ana T He Named Me Malala is a powerful documentary focusing on young activist Malala Yousafzai’s inspirational story of courage and commitment to fight for girls' education worldwide. Her courage and dedication have inspired millions. I was interested in the film because it authentically showcases Malala's life, her family, and the aftermath of the Taliban's attack on her for campaigning for education in Pakistan. The film emphasized that Malala's tenacity served as a reminder of the courage required to resist oppressive systems, and I found that very inspiring. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/12/24 Full Review Kaiden H Horrible movie. Taliban better Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/31/24 Full Review Audience Member Davis Guggenheim's documentary about the eponymous Pakistani teenager speaking out against Taliban forces to advocate the education of girls judiciously finesses our Islamophobia to shed light on the chivalry of the youngest-ever Nobel Prize recipient. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member - What's in a name? A lot, actually - The name "Malala" (or "Malalai") has long been associated with freedom and female strength in Afghani culture. One of Afghanistan's most beloved folk heroes is Malalai of Maiwan, who led her people into battle against the invading British colonisers during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. But the Malala most of us know is Malala Yousefzai, a young Pakastani woman fiercely in support of girls' education. In his latest documentary effort, He Named Me Malala, David Guggenheim delves into both the story of one of the world's most famous teenagers but also the intricate history of her name. It's not a perfect film, but it does a formidable job of showing us that Malala is a unique, surprising individual, and also part of a larger, longer story of humanity standing up to oppressors. Malala Yousefzai is a familiar face and name to most of us who keep up with social media, humanitarian figures, and a little thing called the Nobel Peace Prize. One October afternoon in 2012, Malala nearly became a casualty of the Taliban's efforts to prevent girls from attending school when she was shot in the head on her school bus by a Taliban gunman. Her miraculous recovery and public speaking has turned her into a global figure for peace and education. The film showcases her moving story, and her awe-inspiring speeches. Beautiful animated sequences show Malalai the warrior as well as the love story of Malala's parents. But the true power in this project lies in the moments where we get to better understand her family and her relationships. Her awareness of herself as a child, a teenager, a sister, and a daughter shines through typical teenage moments and lighthearted interactions with her brothers. In one scene, her little brother berates her for her devotion to homework, and laments that she rarely gets in trouble for her naughtiness. In another, Malala shows us images of Roger Federer and Brad Pitt and talks celebrity crushes. She isn't just a Nobel laureate - she's a girl like any other who giggles over a special someone and has nerves about the dating world. She appreciates her life in England, and how she's been able to recover and continue her education, but she's homesick for the earth, people, and legacy of her home country. Astonishingly (or maybe not so much?) Malala appears to have no desire to seek revenge or retaliation against her attackers. Her voice is full of emotion as she speaks of the men who shot her - disappointment that they ignore Islam's call for peace, and pity for their own lack of love and education. Even so, she stands against them and will not be stopped. Just like her namesake, Malala has picked her battle and she's determined not to be defeated. When Ziauddin Yousefzai's wife gave birth to a girl on 12 July 1997, he surely had no idea that his daughter would lead a bold campaign in the face of death and danger. But he named her Malala anyway - and she has grown into a force as legendary as her namesake. So check out He Named Me Malala for a fascinating, if cursory, glimpse into the world of this strong young woman. It reminds us that the fight for justice is not metaphorical; it's very real, with sweat, blood, and bullets, especially for girls and women across the globe. ---------- This review was first published on Narrative Muse, http://www.narrativemuse.co/movies/he-named-me-malala, and was written Debbie Holloway. Narrative Muse curates the best books and movies by and about women and non-binary folk on our website http://narrativemuse.co and our social media channels. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member 5/2/18 Netflix - A great insight into Malala and Pakistan's difficulties with Women's Rights Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews

He Named Me Malala

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