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We Will Rise: Michelle Obama's Mission to Educate Girls Around the World

We Will Rise: Michelle Obama's Mission to Educate Girls Around the World

2018

TV-PG

Director

Tony Gerber

Runtime

49 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep, Freida Pinto and CNN's Isha Sesay take a journey to Morocco and Liberia, where they meet young women overcoming incredible odds to change their lives.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

8.1/10

Excellent


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film focuses on gendered educational access within traditional societal frameworks. It lacks explicit depictions of LGBTQ+ identities or non-heteronormative relationship dynamics.

Gender Representation

Excellent

This documentary subverts traditional hierarchies by centering female agency and intellect. It portrays young women as active drivers of change rather than passive victims of systemic structures.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

The film excels by centering a non-white majority of subjects from African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian backgrounds. It avoids white savior tropes by highlighting the inherent strength of local women.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The narrative engages with post-colonial themes and the complex impact of cultural traditions on education. It prioritizes marginalized voices over a singular Westernized moral standard.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no significant or recurring depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the film's thematic focus.

Strengths

  • Strong emphasis on female agency and intellectual leadership.
  • Diverse, globalized casting that avoids white savior tropes.
  • Nuanced engagement with post-colonial and cultural complexities.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of explicit representation for LGBTQ+ identities.
  • No significant focus on physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

AI Analysis

The documentary is a powerful exploration of intersectional empowerment, successfully shifting the lens from Western-centric perspectives to the lived experiences of women in Morocco, Liberia, Jordan, and Ethiopia. By prioritizing the agency of local educators and students, the film dismantles traditional development narratives. While the film excels in racial and gender representation, it remains neutral regarding LGBTQ+ identities, as the scope is strictly tied to gendered educational access. The absence of disability representation also limits the breadth of its inclusivity. Ultimately, the film succeeds as a study of how education can dismantle systemic oppression, providing a globalized view of leadership and resilience.

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