Watch He Named Me Malala

He Named Me Malala is a 2015 documentary film that tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani girl who stood up against the Taliban for the right of girls to receive an education. The film is directed by Davis Guggenheim, who also directed the Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth. The film explores the life of Malala, her family and their struggle for education in the Swat Valley of Pakistan, where the Taliban had banned girls from attending school. Malala was just 11 years old when she first began blogging anonymously for the BBC, documenting the deteriorating situation in her hometown of Mingora, and advocating for girls' rights to access education.

Malala's father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, became an advocate for girls' education and was himself a teacher. He named his daughter after Malalai of Maiwand, a Pashtun heroine who rallied Afghan troops against the British in the 19th century. Ziauddin, who is also featured prominently in the film, taught Malala and her brothers to read and write, despite the fact that many people in their community were against educating girls.

In 2012, when Malala was just 15 years old, she was shot in the head by the Taliban while riding the bus home from school. She miraculously survived, and was flown to the UK for emergency treatment. The attack made international headlines and Malala became a symbol of the fight for girls' education around the world.

The film explores Malala's recovery and her subsequent activism as she travels the world advocating for education and women's rights. In 2013, she addressed the United Nations General Assembly, where she delivered a powerful speech affirming that "one child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world."

The film is structured around interviews with Malala, her family and friends, and is interspersed with archival footage, animation and news reports. It also features scenes from Malala's new life in Birmingham, England, where she moved with her family after the attack. The film gives us an insight into Malala's personality, her sense of humour, her resilience and her strength.

He Named Me Malala is a moving, inspiring and at times heartbreaking documentary that highlights the incredible courage and determination of one young woman, who symbolizes the best of humanity. Her father, Ziauddin, is also a central figure in the film, who recognizes the power of education and encourages his daughter to never give up on her dreams, despite the many obstacles she faces.

The film examines the wider political context of Malala's story, including the rise of the Taliban in Pakistan and the impact of the US-led War on Terror. It also draws attention to the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Pakistan, and the courage of activists, like Malala, who continue to fight for change.

In conclusion, He Named Me Malala is a powerful and inspiring film about a young girl who made a difference in the world. Malala's story is one of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of education for all children, especially girls. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in human rights, women's rights, and the power of the human spirit.

He Named Me Malala is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 61.