Director: Davis Guggenheim
Cast: Malala Yousafzai
Rating: PG
Running time: 87 mins
Release date: November 6th, 2015
The right to an education – in words this may sound like a simple request, and in fact it is a simple request, everyone should have a right to learn, regardless of age, gender or any other factor – this is Malala’s message, clear and simple.
It is for this reason Malala is pursued as a threat and a target amongst extremists. Her love, enthusiasm and passion for learning, not just for herself, but universally is seen as a threat. Why you may ask? Because education is a powerful weapon, more powerful than any gun, bullet or bomb – and Malala proves just that, not only in her recovery but in her continuous effort as an educational campaigner around the world.
Academy award winning director Davis Guggenheim (AN INCONVENITENT TRUTH, WAITING FOR SUPERMAN) brings Malala’s incredible and brave story to film. Guggenhiem uses footage from Pakistan, interviews with Malala’s family and hand drawn animation as a narrative tool to bring memories back to life.
In particular to one memory which Malala speaks fondly about is her father Ziauddin Yousafzai’s school. She tells us about her passion for learning stemmed from a young age. She would go to her father’s school and would stand in a classroom and give a lectures to empty seats. Malala and her father have a touching relationship, he names her after an Afghan folk heroine who was killed whilst battling for freedom – Malala is true to her name as Ziauddin states it means bravery.
Guggenheim uses the camera as a chance for the family to tell their own story and share their own experiences. In the Yousafzai’s family home we see a fun-loving teen sat at the kitchen table googling pictures of Brad Pitt, speaking about boyfriends, doing homework and playing cards. This is in contrast to her life in Pakistan as she becomes an anonymous blogger for the BBC, documenting her life in the Swat Valley and her views on education under the ever increasing pressure of the Taliban regime.
Her blog was eventually stopped, but Malala continued to speak out. Film footage from Pakistan shows Malala as a young teenager speaking about the importance of education, she looks small against the crowds – but her message is strong and powerful and delivered with such confidence. In 2011 she received Pakistan’s first National Youth peace Prize and in 2012, Malala was shot in the head on her school bus by the Taliban.
The Taliban’s attempt to silence her, only made Malala stronger and her message was taken worldwide. What is particularly important with Guggenheim’s documentary, is that he doesn’t show Malala being shot as the beginning of her campaign.
Malala’s recovery wasn’t easy, but just goes to show what an incredible, brave and inspiring young woman she is. Malala states “they thought that the bullet would silence us. But nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born.” From meeting the world’s highest political figures, delivering speeches in the UN and travelling the world as a campaigner for education, Malala is an inspiration to all – and let’s not forget, she is only eighteen.
Verdict
