Nearly 12 years have passed since a Taliban gunman shot student Malala Yousafzai in the head as she returned home from a school exam in a bus full of other students.
Now one of Pakistan's most famous public figures, activist, Oxford graduate and youngest-ever Nobel Prize winner, releases her first feature film.
The 27-year-old tells Sky News: “I'm fairly new to Hollywood but it's been an amazing journey for me so far.”
Yousafzai, an outspoken critic of the underrepresentation of Muslims in Hollywood films, in 2021 in collaboration with: Apple+ TV in order to “shake things up.”
She says: “There are so many passionate women and artists from all walks of life, including Muslim communities and people of color, and they have amazing stories.
“I hope to work with even more amazing artists and directors for many years to come, helping us bring more perspectives and more voices and reflections from people who often don't get the chance.”
A 2022 study found that Muslims make up 25% of the population, but only 1% of the characters in popular TV series.
As for whether things are getting better, Yousafzai says: “There are amazing Muslim artists who are really changing the narrative, and I hope that more of them will get the chance to tell their stories and just bring more diversity to the way stories are told. “
She says her just-released documentary “The Last Of The Sea Women,” about a group of divers in their 60s, 70s and 80s, is an “incredible start” to her new adventure as a Hollywood executive.
The after-school school has previously said it would consider creating a fictionalized account of her murder attempt, but signaled they would first need to find a “surprising take” to the story.
And Yousafzai is full of surprises.
(RL): Lee Hee Soon, Malala Yousafzai, Sue Kim i Jang Soon Duk. Zdjęcie: Apple TV+
Malala made me do it
Earlier this year she made her acting debut in the second season of the irreverent and hugely popular Channel 4 comedy We Are Lady Parts.
Her episode even featured a fake song inspired by her activism, Malala Made Me Do It.
Yousafzai's passionate efforts to promote access to education for women and girls in countries where it is limited now enter a new dimension – entertainment.
Its deal with Apple will include dramas, comedies, documentaries, animations and children's series.
Future productions include a film adaptation of Elaine Hsieh Chou's book “Disorientation” and a series based on Asha Lemmie's coming-of-age novel “Fifty Words For Rain,” about a woman's search for acceptance in post-World War II Japan.
Read more
Malala Yousafzai brings human rights to the big screen
Malala criticizes Hollywood for lack of Asian representation
The Last Of The Sea Women tells the story of Haenyeo, a “gang of bad girls” made up of those living on South Koreafrom Jeju Island who dive to the bottom of the ocean without oxygen to collect food for their community.
Having gained a reputation as true mermaids, despite diving for centuries, their traditions are now under threat.
In an effort to save their lives, they are now educating younger women who are part of Generation Z by sharing their stories on TikTok.
Haenyeo divers from Jeju Island, South Korea. Photo: Apple TV+
Older Asian women 'as heroes'
The film's director Sue Kim, who calls working with Malala “the joy and pleasure of my life,” says she was excited to feature an underrepresented group in her work.
“It's rare for women to be portrayed as the only heroes in a film. Two Asian women are not often portrayed as soul heroines in film. And then older Asian women.
“Those are three demographics where I think there is a slight discrepancy in how the heroic world is portrayed and portrayed. And that was something I was happy to show in the film.”
Yousafzai says of Haenyeo, “When I look at them, personally, as a woman, I feel like there are no limits to what I can do.”
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He continues, “We would definitely be in a very good place if we were under Haenyeo’s leadership…
“We need women in leadership positions. We need a society where women can get equal opportunities. And a woman should never be told she can't play a certain role.”
Previously nominated for Oskar in the case of the short documentary “Stranger At The Gate”, Yousafzai is optimistic, “The Last Of The Sea Women” may also be in the conversation for the next awards.
“Why not? I think he deserves all the applause and recognition.”
The Last Of The Sea Women is now streaming on Apple TV+
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