Brave Miss World
Documentary, Biography, Drama
One woman's quest to turn personal tragedy into global awareness.
Director:
Cecilia PeckWriter:
Cecilia PeckStars:
Linor Abargil, Morgan Carpenter, Joan Collins |- Story line
- Israeli beauty queen Linor Abargil was abducted and raped in Milan, Italy two months before being crowned Miss World in 1998. Ten years later, she's ready to talk about it, and to encourage others to speak out. Now a globe-trotting victims' advocate, Linor encourages others to stand against sexual violence by putting an end to their silence. She travels to speak with teens in South Africa, where girls are statistically more likely to be raped than educated. For victims of sexual assault, the journey toward wholeness never ends; still, Linor Abargil, the BRAVE MISS WORLD, continues her unflinching efforts to keep the nightmares at bay.
- One woman's quest to turn personal tragedy into global awareness.
Movie Reviews
As a husband and father of two daughters, this film naturally had a strong impact on me. It's the story about Linor Abargil, a woman who was crowned Miss World back in 1998...only weeks after she was raped. But it's not a story just about her victimization but about her taking control of her life. Abargil has made it her life's calling to publicize her story and use her celebrity status to lecture and meet with rape victims all over the world. Throughout this wonderful and brave film, you see her meeting with various victims around the world, such as in South Africa, the US and Italy...as well as in her native Israel. She gives inspirational talks that encourage victims, both men and women, to come forward and break the silence. Their stories are very touching and makes a huge emotional impact. But in addition to being inspired, the film will occasionally make you angry. Prosecutors who told rape victims to drop the charges because the accused it 'cute', fraternities that chant and laugh about rape as well as offenders who SOUND convincing and sincere when they proclaim their innocence...all these are bound to shock you and make you angry. This is definitely a film to watch along with a box of Kleenex...as well as with your loved ones-- especially your teens. My only regret is that I wish this film had been available back when I used to be a psychotherapist, as most of my clients were sexual abuse victims and really could have benefited from Linor's story.
Technically speaking, this film is what you'd expect. It's well edited and makes a very strong impact on the viewer. I sure hope to see more from Cecelia Peck, as she expertly directed this terrific documentary and, like Linor, showed a lot of courage to make such a film. See "Brave Miss World"...and if you live here in the States, you most likely can, as it just debuted on Netflix's streaming service.