5 Reasons Malala Yousafzai Documentary 'He Named Me Malala' Will Be An Important Film

By RACHEL SEMIGRAN

The documentary He Named Me Malala about the young Pakistanti activist and modern sociopolitical icon Malala Yousafzai is one step closer to release. Fox Searchlight has officially acquired the worldwide rights to the film, which was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (Waiting for Superman, An Inconvenient Truth). Just last year, Malala Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel Laureate. Since being wounded by Taliban gunmen  for standing up for the rights of children and young women, she has become an international advocate for education accessibility. According to Fox Searchlight executives Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley, “Malala’s incredible journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her bravery in the face of adversity brought us to tears. The chance to bring her story to a global audience will be an honor for all of us here at Searchlight.”tion

When the film is going to be released has yet to be announced, however this acquisition is a huge step in the documentary’s distribution. It will hit the theaters at some point later this year and I have no doubt it will be a major awards contender. He Named Me Malalatakes a look into Yousafzai’s personal journey as well as the importance of her work in the context of global issues and movements. Here’s why He Named Me Malala is going to be one of the most, if not the absolute most important film of the year.

It’s Her Story, In Her Words

When the Taliban attempted to assassinate the young activist, rather than hiding, Malala spoke up and used her terrifying experience to raise awareness about education worldwide. When speaking to the UN she pronounced, “They thought that the bullet would silence us. But they failed.” The more people hear her story in her own words, the more power they hold. 

It Will Shine Light on Important Issues

Since Malala Yousafzai has become an international role model, she has used her many platforms to speak about the social ills that are breaking our world apart. He Named Me Malala will help Yousafzai tell even more people about how the rights to education for children, and especially young women are being threatened worldwide as well as the grim reality of living within a Taliban occupation.

She is a Uniting Force

Malala Yousafzai has spoken in front and worked with the entire United Nations, Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II and Archbishop Desmond Tutu among many others. She is respected by so many leaders across the globe that she has the power to truly bring people together to have a conversation about what needs to change to make our world safer for the young people growing up in it. With the release of this film, her message will go even further.

It Will Scare, Threaten, and Upset Plenty of People

Just like all important works of art often do. As inspiring as this film will be, it will also be a difficult one to stomach. Her survival is harrowing and the threats to her life are deeply unnerving. Some might be scared by the truth of her story and there are plenty of people out there who feel threatened by her voice. But I hold on to the belief that there are more people who will feel empowered by it.

There’s No Such Thing as “Too Many Young Female Leaders”

It’s not often there are two whole hours in cinema dedicated to telling the story of young women who are changing the world and the course of history as we know it. We can all learn something from He Named Me Malala and I have no doubt it will become required viewing in schools around the world.

http://www.bustle.com/articles/73061-5-reasons-malala-yousafzai-documentary-he-named-me-malala-will-be-an-important-film