Watch The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a powerful drama film that tells the inspiring true story of a young boy named William Kamkwamba who uses his ingenuity and determination to fight against poverty and famine in his impoverished African village. The film, directed and co-written by Chiwetel Ejiofor, opens with a breathtaking panoramic shot of the African savanna. We are then introduced to William Kamkwamba (played by newcomer Maxwell Simba), a young boy who dreams of using science to change his life and the lives of those around him. William is obsessed with fixing and creating things, and his curiosity and intelligence often land him in trouble with his strict father, Trywell Kamkwamba (played by Ejiofor).

The story takes place in Malawi in the early 2000s, a time when the country was facing a severe food shortage due to a drought. William's village is hit hard, and his family struggles to make ends meet. When William is forced to drop out of school because his family cannot afford the fees, he turns to the local library for solace. There, he discovers a book that will change his life – a book about windmills.

With no experience in engineering or mechanics, William sets out to build a windmill using scraps of metal, bicycle parts, and other junk he finds around the village. His aim is to capture the wind and generate electricity to pump water for irrigation during the dry months. Despite ridicule from his peers and skepticism from his own father, William persists.

As William's windmill slowly takes shape, the village is hit with a tragedy that will test William's courage and determination. The film takes a heart-wrenching turn as the people of the village face the threat of starvation, and William's family suffers a devastating loss.

Throughout the film, Ejiofor does a fantastic job of balancing the personal and political elements of the story. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is not just about William's windmill – it's also a commentary on the incompetence of the Malawian government, the impact of colonialism, and the importance of education.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a heartwarming story of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. At its core, the film is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of education to inspire change. It's also a meditation on the importance of community, family, and the strength of the human bond.

As William, Simba is a revelation – his performance is raw, honest, and inspiring. He captures the innocence and curiosity of a young boy, as well as the tenacity and courage required to build something from scratch. Ejiofor, too, gives a commanding performance as William's father. He brings depth and nuance to a character who could easily have been one-dimensional.

In addition to the stellar performances, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind boasts stunning cinematography by Dick Pope. The shots of the Malawian landscape are breathtaking, and Pope captures the beauty of the country even as it suffers from famine and drought.

The film is not without its flaws – at times, it feels a bit heavy-handed in its messaging, and some of the characterizations are a bit simplistic. However, these minor quibbles are easily overlooked in the face of the film's emotional power and inspiring message.

Overall, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a must-watch film for anyone looking for a moving, inspiring story. With its compelling characters, stunning visuals, and powerful message, it's impossible not to be moved by William's journey.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 68.