← Back to results
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
2019 113 min Malawi, United Kingdom, United States of America 12+
★7.6
Drama, History
Director: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Trailers
Description
Against all the odds, a thirteen year old boy in Malawi invents an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine.
Starring
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Actor
Maxwell Simba
Actor
Felix Lemburo
Actor
Awards
Sundance Film Festival 2019
— Alfred P. Sloan Prize
Key opinion
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is an inspiring, historically grounded drama that highlights the ingenuity of a Malawian teenager against the backdrop of extreme poverty. While many viewers find the film emotionally resonant and educational, others critique its narrative pacing and find the character development occasionally superficial or repetitive.
| Theme | The film succeeds as an inspiring portrayal of scientific ingenuity and human resilience in the face of climate catastrophe and systemic hardship. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography effectively captures the visual reality of Malawian village life and the harsh environment of the 2000s drought. | |
| Direction | The directorial debut of Chiwetel Ejiofor is generally considered a competent and noble effort that brings important, underrepresented African stories to a broader audience. | |
| Pacing | The pacing of the narrative divides viewers: some appreciate the slow, contemplative buildup that mirrors the hardship of village life, while others find the film monotonous and lacking in tension. | |
| Acting | The character development, particularly concerning the father-son relationship, draws conflicting reactions; some find the performances emotionally powerful and grounded, while others perceive the roles as flat and the motivations as inconsistent. |