The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
2019 · Movie · 113 min · ★ 7.9 · 77% critics
Against all the odds, a thirteen-year-old boy in Malawi tries to help his family and village during famine. After studying and experimenting with what he can find, he develops a new approach to bring water and fight drought, even as responsibilities and harsh conditions weigh on him.
Where to watch
Streaming on Netflix.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2019
- Release date
- 2019-02-14
- Language
- English
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 77/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.9/10 (1,872 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this uplifting, real-feeling story of ingenuity and family determination; Not for you if you dislike famine-era hardship or need strict scientific accuracy, or if you prefer lighter adventure like Invincible.
Pros: inspiring underdog story; gorgeous harsh reality; strong performances | Cons: pacing feels slow; questionable science accuracy; heavy hardship themes
Themes
- africa
- windmill
- based on true story
- family power struggle
- water for life
- challenge for change
- dedicated
- ingenuity
- dedication
- struggle for independence
- the ingenious one
Awards & recognition
- Alfred P. Sloan Prize · 2019
- NYICFF Grand Prize · 2019
- International Submission to the Academy Awards · 2020 · nominated
Cast & crew
Maxwell Simba
as William Kamkwamba
Chiwetel Ejiofor
as Trywell Kamkwamba
Aïssa Maïga
as Agnes Kamkwamba
Lily Banda
as Annie Kamkwamba
Joseph Marcell
as Chief Wembe
Lemogang Tsipa
as Mike Kachigunda
- PF
Philbert Falakeza
as Gilbert Wimbe
Noma Dumezweni
as Edith Sikelo
- KM
Khalani Makunje
as Daniel Ngwata
- RA
Robert Agengo
as Jeremiah Kamkwamba
Directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor