In 2014, Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel Prize laureate for her global activism on human rights and, in particular, for equal rights and education for women. At age 16 Malala was thrust into the international spotlight when she was targeted and shot in the head by the Taliban for daring to speak up.
Relocated to England for treatment, Malala miraculously survived and, with the guidance of her father, has become an inspiration and voice for oppressed young women around the world.
Now living in England with the rest of her family, Malala is an articulate and charming free thinker with passion for her beliefs. When not public speaking or travelling the world, she remains a high school student to complete her education.
Director Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) tells Malala’s story through interviews, narration, historical footage and animation. He shows an ordinary girl with a deeply loving and supportive family, who is living an extraordinary life that continues to affect countless others around the world.
At times, this documentary is too smooth, too scripted, and lacks much of the candidness one would expect from an exposé. The horror that lead to Malala’s worldwide recognition is discussed but never really felt. Malala herself avoids discussing events on any kind of deep emotional level. There is more emotional impact from historical photos and footage of the Taliban’s actions then there is from Malala’s own recollections. Her father is the only one to show any moment of emotion, albeit very brief.
Odd as this is, it’s an effective tool to focus on the charitable work of Malala instead of eliciting sympathy for her. He Named Me Malala is a call to action and an effective one, proving that “one child, one teacher, one paper and one pen” can change the world.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating out of 10: 7
He Named Me Malala screened as part of the Adelaide Film Festival, running 15-25 October 2015.
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