“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” said Nobel Prize laureate and teen activist, Malala Yousafzai.

And who could better prove those words than Malala herself?  Refusing to let the Taliban in her native Pakistan intimidate her for the simple act of going to school, Malala single-handedly became a powerful voice for female education heard worldwide.

Now “He Named Me Malala,” a new documentary released this month, tells the story of this

extremely intelligent and inspirational 18-year old, who stood up against the Taliban and lived to tell her story. Displaying an astonishing blend of determination and purpose, she not only survived an attack, but refused to remain silent.

Director Davis Guggenheim perfectly highlights the story of the young humanitarian, from explaining the origin of her name, to describing her family tree and background, to presenting her hometown in depth. The way that her story is told leaves viewers feeling motivated and impassioned.

The “he” in “He Named Me Malala” refers to Malala’s father, Ziauddin. The movie grants him substantial attention, while also conveying how much of an influence he is to his daughter. He helped introduce education to her at a very young age, and from learning how to overcome a speech limitation on his own, he also encouraged Malala to raise her voice. Even though she is the main focus of Guggenheim’s film, Malala’s relationship with her father is clearly stressed, making the film an equally motivating father-daughter story.

On camera, Malala is an all-around admirable person. She never once admits feeling grief or hatred towards the Taliban, and their attempt to take her life. In the film, it is made clear that Malala is quite a humble person. Beneath her exceptional sense of purpose, she is an ordinary teen who struggles with her school workload at times, jokes around with her younger brothers, and giggles when asked about her celebrity crushes. All this ties together to show the everyday life behind all of the fame and glory.

I personally liked the story of Malala, and how the movie presented her life in an inspiring, informative way. She’s an amazing individual, who brings with her a message for world peace, female rights, and the value of education.

I admired the scenes where Malala would be at home with her family in her natural environment, with no flashy cameras or pushy interviewers. Moments with her in the film such as skyping her friends back home, messing around with her brothers, or even having a simple conversation with her mother, helped to shine a light on the real Malala.

Overall, I give the documentary a 9 out of 10. I would definitely encourage everyone to go and see this film. It is a pretty exceptional piece, which vividly explains and illustrates Malala’s courageous story. The film truly gives viewers a glimpse of how she really is: an amazing role model and inspiration for us all.
“He Named Me Malala is now showing at CineArts Palo Alto Square, at 3000 El Camino Real in Palo Alto.  For showtimes, call the theater at 650-493-0128.