You are here:
On Her Shoulders

On Her Shoulders

2018

Director

Alexandria Bombach

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Nadia Murad, a 23-year-old Yazidi, survived genocide and sexual slavery committed by ISIS. Repeating her story to politicians and media, this ordinary girl finds herself thrust onto the world stage as the voice of her people. Away from the podium, she must navigate bureaucracy, fame and people's good intentions.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

7.2/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film focuses on the Yazidi genocide and Nadia Murad’s specific testimony. There is no evidence of LGBTQ+ narratives or non-heteronormative identity explorations within the subject matter.

Gender Representation

Excellent

The documentary grants significant agency to a female protagonist in male-dominated political spheres. It subverts tropes by centering Murad’s intellectual authority rather than treating her as a passive survivor.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

This work provides a vital, unmediated perspective on the ISIS genocide. It centers a marginalized Yazidi woman, successfully challenging Anglo-centric historical narratives and the dominant Western gaze.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film explores the friction between individual identity and the heavy expectations of communal survival. It critiques the inadequacy of Western political structures in responding to humanitarian crises.

Disability Representation

Minimal

While the film addresses the profound psychological trauma of survival, it lacks specific depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities required for a categorical score.

Strengths

  • Centers a marginalized Yazidi female voice within global geopolitical discourse.
  • Subverts traditional survivor tropes by emphasizing the protagonist's agency and intellectual authority.
  • Provides a direct, unmediated perspective on the ISIS genocide.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-heteronormative narratives.
  • Does not provide specific depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

AI Analysis

On Her Shoulders is a sophisticated documentary that moves beyond traditional victimhood tropes. By centering Nadia Murad, the film transforms a survivor into a geopolitical actor who actively challenges global power structures. The narrative succeeds by prioritizing an intersectional identity that is often sidelined in mainstream discourse. It avoids the trap of journalistic detachment, opting instead for a deeply personal study of agency and the psychological weight of representation. Ultimately, the film serves as a post-colonial critique. It examines how the West consumes the stories of marginalized people while highlighting the disconnect between international institutions and the realities of those they claim to protect.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.