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Laramie Movie Scope:
He Named Me Malala

An inspirational documentary about a survivor

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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November 8, 2015 -- This inspirational documentary about Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai (the youngest winner ever at age 17) outlines her journey from being an outspoken young girl to her near-martyrdom in the cause of equal rights, culminating in her status as a worldwide leader for women's rights.

This documentary by Davis Guggenheim is decidedly non-chronological in its construction. Just when you think it is done with one idea, it goes back again and again to the same topic. Eventually, it does get the message across.

In large swaths of the world, particularly in Muslim nations, women are treated as second-class citizens. In Pakistan, where Malala was born, the Taliban are determined to prevent young girls from being educated. The film shows school after school bombed by the Taliban. Those who speak out against the Taliban, like Malala's father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, did, are marked for death.

Malala's grandfather also favored women's rights, as did Ziauddin. Malala got an early start on her education, thanks to her father's work as a teacher. She also got an early start as an activist, writing a blog under a fake name for the BBC which was critical of the Taliban occupation of the remote Swat Valley where she lived.

She could have continued as an activist in secret, but she decided to go public, and made herself a target in doing so. Malala states clearly in the documentary that this was her choice, and that she was aware of the danger. On October 9, 2012, Malala and two other girls were attacked by the Taliban. Malala was shot in the head. Her chances to survive the attack, let alone recover her faculties, were slim.

Somehow, Malala survived the attack and was able to regain her power of speech and movement to a large degree. She lost hearing in one ear and there is damage to her face, some nerves and muscles will never heal. Malala doesn't dwell on what she has lost, but she is more powerful than ever as an activist for women's education worldwide.

Watching Malala in the film, the most impressive thing about her is her courage. The most distinctive thing is her infectious laugh. After she and her family were forced to move to England to escape the death threats, she had a difficult time catching up with her schoolwork and adapting to a society so foreign to her. She had trouble keeping up with the British school children, but she is also able to laugh at herself during her struggles.

The film also shows Ziauddin's influence on her daughter's life. A teacher and activist in his own right, he spoke out strongly against the Taliban, as did Malala. It is also evident in the film that Ziauddin and his whole family are devout Muslims. He regards the Taliban teachings as a betrayal of his religion. He said before the Taliban came, there was respect for the religious views of others, instead of intolerance, punishment and terrorism.

Both Malala and her father said they would like to visit their beloved Swat Valley again someday. They live in a strange land and would like to go home, but safety, and freedom, are more important right now. The film shows Malala traveling the world, advocating for women's rights. It is an overwhelming task, but her determination remains strong. In a word, she is awesome. This film rates a B.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Copyright © 2015 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)