Él me nombró Malala

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 is actually not a review but I found it very interesting that there are some reviews here which are quite negative. At least some of them from Pakistanis who took this very personal. But I personally think (and hope) the most viewers are mature in their opinions and not necessairly base their opinion about whole Pakistan based just on this movie. It was clearly not an aim of the film to show only the raw facts and overview about situation in the whole country. I believe that what happened to Malala in the Swat valley was real, Talibans are real and the problem is real.

Moreover, I think it was clear from the movie that the bound of Malala with her father is strong and they actually received the Nobel price together (if I'm not mistaken). Not sure why to accuse him of creating a puppet from his daughter. Of course, parents have a great influence on their kids. Even if they got pretty much independent in life it always starts with their parents. The father of Malala himself got a huge inspiration from his father. I don't see anything abnormal there.

I know there could be an endless discussion about the movie and the politics related to the issues presented in it. And this is clearly not a place for that... Anyways, I hope people will be critical towards what they saw in the movie (and in life) and get some inspiration from it. One has always to read between the lines and not take things too serious.

Peace.

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.

Academy Award Winning Director Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth - 2006) graciously guides the viewing audience into the life and times of Malala Yousafzi, the young Pakistani girl (youngest Nobel Prize Winner - 2014) who was shot in her school bus (along with two friends) in 2012 by the Taliban. At the heart of this educational and heartwarming film is the relatable and kind Malala, the daughter of outspoken father Toor Pekai, reserved mother Khushal and sister to two equally enjoyable brothers Ziauddin and Atal. Through personal interviews that bring forth the light that shines within Malala and her family, we learn of her upbringing, gain insight into her family and community, and learn of her writing relationship with the BBC before and through the rise of the Taliban. Making the story accessible (especially to the younger audience), Guggenheim perfectly intertwines (though animation) the story behind Malala's name - the name comes from a Pashtun woman who encouraged the Afghan forces to fight on during the Battle of Maiwand. This is a remarkable story that deserves to be told and experienced by all, especially today's young women. "Let us pick-up our books and our pencils. They are our most powerful weapon". Look for this one to move right to the top for Award consideration.

Greetings again from the darkness. One would be hard-pressed to name anyone currently on the planet who is more deserving of having her story told than Malala Yousafzai. In case you don't recognize the name, Malala is the teenage girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban for speaking out in favor of education for Pakistani girls.

Unlike her namesake in the legendary story told to open the film, this Malala somehow survived the gunshot and has continued her mission of spreading the importance of education throughout the globe. Her efforts resulted in her being named the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2014. This girl is extraordinary and inspiring.

Davis Guggenheim has proved his expertise in the documentary world with excellent work in Waiting for Superman (2010) and his Oscar winner An Inconvenient Truth (2006). Though Malala may be his most fascinating subject to date, this is probably not his best filmmaking. The extensive use of animation distracts from Malala's story, and also Guggenheim's attempts to show the teenage girl that exists alongside the global activist are often disjointed. We enjoy seeing her warm and sincere interactions with her brothers and her embarrassment at low grades on school work, but each time one of these sequences begins, the film abruptly shifts to another incident – possibly as a reminder to us that her life is anything but normal.

Some of the film's highlights include Malala's speech to the United Nations assembly, the crime scene photographs of the bus on which she and her friends were shot, and those moments when she lets her emotions roam free … she mutters "It's so hard to get things done in this world". We feel her pain and find ourselves wanting to stand with Malala.

Much of what we see is from her promotional tour to support her book "I am Malala", and it's her words and commitment to the cause that leave such an impression. Guggenheim hints that her father may have pushed her into this life, but this wise-beyond-her-years young woman has more than earned our respect and admiration. She convinces us that the best way to "arm" young people around the world is with books and a pen … the most powerful weapons. Her courage and commitment cause us to question our actions as 17 year olds. What a truly extraordinary person she is.