The ultimate feminist dream team met this past week and we’re so thrilled to have witnessed this beautiful moment. At the Into Film Festival premiere of the movie "He Named Me Malala," Emma Watson hosted a live Q&A interview with the biopic’s star, Nobel Peace Price winner Malala Yousafzai.
After being shot by the Taliban while getting off a school bus when she was just fifteen, Malala became an icon for Female education and a representation of freedom. Audiences got to relive the story at the screening, along with one of the most epic interviews of time, screened throughout 80 UK movie theaters, wow.
The dynamic duo sat down to chit chat about life, education, and their mutual enthusiasm for feminism. Emma Watson, a UN Ambassador, exemplifies many of the same fundamental principles as Malala, and together they had a delightfully poignant conversation, facilitated by questions presented by UK faculty and students.
After the interview wrapped up, Emma Watson posted the video on Facebook, along with a heartfelt caption. Here is the sweetest part:
Perhaps the most moving moment of today for me was when Malala addressed the issue of feminism. To give you some background, I had initially planned to ask Malala whether or not she was a feminist but then researched to see whether she had used this word to describe herself. Having seen that she hadn’t, I decided to take the question out before the day of our interview. To my utter shock Malala put the question back into one of her own answers and identified herself. Maybe feminist isn’t the easiest word to use… But she did it ANYWAY…I’ve spoken before on what a controversial word feminism is currently. More recently, I am learning what a factionalized movement it is too. We are all moving towards the same goal. Let’s not make it scary to say you’re a feminist. I want to make it a welcoming and inclusive movement. Let’s join our hands and move together so we can make real change. Malala and I are pretty serious about it but we need you.”
But hold it right there, because the sweet stuff continues and just gets a little sweeter. Here’s what Malala had to preach regarding Feminism (with Emma Watson playing a role of positive influence, of course) in the interview:
“It has been a tricky word. When I heard it the first time I heard some negative responses and some positive ones. I hesitated in saying am I feminist or not? Then after hearing your speech I decided there’s no way and there’s nothing wrong by calling yourself a feminist. So I’m a feminist and we all should be a feminist because feminism is another word for equality.”
Malala made sure to emphasize what Watson promoted in her pioneering speech, saying men “I have to step forward” and stand in solidarity with women in order for there to be equality. We couldn’t agree more, and by saying “we” I am sure the rest of society agrees that this moment blew us all away by the fact that two of our heroes inspire the morals of feminism in each other.
Alright, I’ll stop with the mush gush for now and let you watch the full interview. Grab a box of tissues and prepare to have your brain grow a few sizes.
(Video uploaded byYouTube user: Totally Emma Watson)
