It would be difficult to flub a documentary about so inspirational a subject, but He Named Me Malala exceeds expectations and delivers its important message with grace and power.

The documentary is crowd-pleasing and conventional – though not to its detriment as it tells Malala’s incredible story to as wide an audience as possible with utmost charm and no small amount of uplifting moments.

Some lush watercolour animated sequences tell us of her past in Pakistan whilst the Yousafzai clan (consistently hilarious and personable) fill us in on Malala’s ongoing fame and philanthropy, as well as their new lives in Britain.

Touching, likeable and often life-affirming, HNMM keenly balances its themes and subject matter, and most importantly fully allows the warmth and grace of its subject shine through.

RATING: 4/5

INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Davis Guggenheim

SYNOPSIS: An intimate portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was targeted and severely wounded after speaking out against the Taliban for women’s rights to an education.

He Named Me Malala was screened as a Special Documentary Presentation at the 2015 London Film Festival.