As a fan, I am absolutely inspired by Malala Yousafzai‘s journey and the impact she has made on the world at such a young age. From her acclaimed documentary “He Named Me Malala” to her latest Apple doc “The Last of the Sea Women”, Malala continues to use storytelling as a powerful tool for change, focusing on the transformative power of these narratives to shape our world for the better.
Malala Yousafzai, a globally renowned activist for girls’ rights and human rights since her teenage years, has consistently worked towards shaping a better world. The youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, she’s no stranger to the glare of cameras in her personal life. Following the success of her 2015 documentary “He Named Me Malala”, inspired by her bestselling memoir “I Am Malala”, she went on to produce the Oscar-nominated short doc “Stranger at the Gate”. At the 2024 Toronto Film Festival, Yousafzai premiered another documentary, “The Last of the Sea Women”, produced under her company Extracurricular. This documentary is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on Oct. 11. The film focuses on the world of South Korea’s haenyeo divers, an all-female group whose centuries-old tradition of harvesting sea life off Jeju Island is under threat.
Scott Feinberg from The Hollywood Reporter conversed with Malala Yousafzai, aged 27, during the yearly TIFF Industry Conference’s “Visionaries” discussion series. The conversation revolved around the influential impact of storytelling, as described by Jane Kim, a producer of industry programming at TIFF. Feinberg explored how Malala’s life has been molded through storytelling and how she now employs storytelling as a producer to carry forward the work she started during her pre-teen years.
Malala Yousafzai, drawing inspiration from her mission to educate, took a pragmatic route when venturing into the entertainment industry. She explained, “When I began working on this production company, I looked at various projects and considered how I could initially contribute by serving as an executive producer.” The film “Joyland” (a 2015 drama that was briefly prohibited in Pakistan for its narrative about a man who develops affection for a transgender erotic dancer) caught her attention because it was created by a talented Pakistani director [Saim Sadiq], and it was conveying a crucial message in a strong, impactful manner. It was likely the first Pakistani film to be nominated for Oscars, and I’m incredibly proud to have been involved in it. The film also won the Independent Spirit Award.
As the executive producer of “Stranger at the Gate“, a poignant short documentary detailing a former Marine’s bomb attack on a Muslim community center in Indiana, she received an invitation to last year’s Oscars. She described the experience as “incredible”, sharing that she mingled with numerous celebrities. Moreover, having a film nominated for an Oscar was also eye-opening.
She found out that we’re not yet diverse enough. We require a greater number of women, individuals of color, and Muslims to share their narratives. I believe storytelling has a unique power to reshape perspectives where other methods might fall short. It may take time, but the personal bond formed through storytelling can help us understand the world in a more empathetic manner.
With Apple, Yousafzai expressed her delight at finding a like-minded partner. “I’m seeking an environment where I can collaborate with extraordinary female directors, screenwriters, and storytellers,” she said. “I want to work with individuals who offer unique perspectives seldom seen on-screen. That’s why we teamed up with Apple; they share our values. We discuss the impactful connections made through these documentaries or series, the messages we convey, and the enjoyable and entertaining aspects that can bring laughter and unity. Regardless of where people reside in the world, this collaboration can bridge gaps.
As a gamer, I was utterly captivated by Sue Kim’s The Last of the Sea Women. It left me astonished, confessing that I hadn’t known this tale before. You see, there aren’t many societies worldwide where women hold the reins, and the haenyeo is one such rarity. In these exceptional matriarchal communities, it’s the women who earn a living, guide the community, and work harmoniously together.
Speaking as a gaming enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “I discovered so much from those women – their bond with the sea is profound. In the documentary, you’ll see how climate change is reshaping their world. What’s striking is that many of these women are in their 60s, 70s, and even 90s, still diving for a living, but they might be the last ones to do so. There’s a glimmer of hope, though, as we meet some young haenyeo, or sea women, who are more like the TikTok generation, diving in the sea and creating TikTok videos. They’re amazing, and it’s heartening to think that their stories could inspire more of them to protect this unique culture.
Malala Yousafzai also talked about the documentary titled “Bread & Roses,” which she co-produced. This documentary debuted in June on Apple TV+ and focuses on the influence of Kabul’s fall on women’s rights (Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence is a fellow producer). “I feel privileged to be involved in this documentary as it highlights the journeys of three Afghan women since Afghanistan fell to the Taliban,” she stated. “These women have been documenting their lives on their phones, and they offer a glimpse into how their lives are being affected by these new constraints that the Taliban is imposing.
“She pondered over the women dentists, who have to conceal their success due to Taliban rules against female achievements. ‘It’s hard to believe,’ she said, ‘that Afghanistan is the only nation on Earth that prevents girls from finishing school past sixth grade.’ Such a reality is staggering in today’s world.
When asked who among the U.S. presidential candidates would be more supportive of women’s rights, Yousafzai simply replied, “That’s an obvious choice.
“Just go listen to both, and you will find the answer,” she continued. “One is clearly telling you that they will take away rights from women, and one is telling you that they want to protect [them]. So go, Kamala Harris, go.”
By the age of 11, Malala expressed her aspiration to serve as a prime minister. However, today, she’s found success as a producer instead. Though the form her activism takes may have changed from what she initially imagined, her dedication has remained unwavering throughout.
She began by sharing her own journey, and fortunately, it resonated with others. However, in interviews and elsewhere, she consistently emphasized that she is not alone; there are numerous girls out there facing similar circumstances. Her hope is that through the projects she’s involved with, as well as other initiatives, she can inspire and empower even more young women.
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2024-10-11 20:55