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I could not be more honored to share Girl Rising with you – a new feature film that spotlights the stories of nine unforgettable girls born into unforgiving circumstances. Produced by award-winning former ABC News journalists of The Documentary Group and Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions, and powered by strategic partner, Intel Corporation, and global television distribution partner, CNN Films, Girl Rising is a moving film that hammers home the power of education to change the world.
The film follows Sokha, an orphan who rises from a life in the garbage dump in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to become a star student and an accomplished dancer; Suma, who writes songs that help her endure forced servitude in Nepal and today crusades to free others; and Ruksana, an Indian “pavement-dweller” whose father sacrifices his own basic needs for his daughter’s dreams, along with six other remarkable girls. Each girl is paired with a renowned writer from her native country: Marie Arana (Peru), Edwidge Danticat (Haiti), Mona Eltahawy (Egypt), Aminatta Forna (Sierre Leone), Zarghuna Kargar (Afghanistan), Maaza Mengiste (Ethiopia), Sooni Taraporevala (India), Manjushree Thapa (Nepal), and Loung Ung (Cambodia). These stories are narrated by celebrated actresses: Cate Blanchett (Haiti), Priyanka Chopra (India), Selena Gomez (Sierra Leone), Anne Hathaway (Afghanistan), Salma Hayek (Peru), Alicia Keys (Cambodia), Chloë Moretz (Egypt), Freida Pinto, Meryl Streep (Ethiopia), and Kerry Washington (Nepal).
Having seen the film, I can tell you that this is a feature that is not to be missed. Watching these girls endure these hardships puts our own lives into perspective, as we realize how lucky we are to have been afforded our own opportunities. Girl Rising puts into focus just how important education is to what we are able to do in life, as we see that without access to education, opportunities are limited at best.
Girl Rising is the centerpiece of 10×10, a global campaign to educate and empower girls.
Inspired yet? Get involved with Girl Rising by donating to 10×10 here to support girls’ education, hosting a Gathr screening for you and your friends, or seeing the film starting April 19th at your local Regal Theatre!
This is a film that every collegiette needs to watch, with a message that every collegiette needs to spread.