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IMDbPro

The Breadwinner

  • 20172017
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
25K
YOUR RATING
The Breadwinner (2017)
Parvana, a young girl living under the Taliban regime, cuts her hair and disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family after her father is imprisoned.
Play trailer1:02
2 Videos
96 Photos
  • Animation
  • Drama
  • Family
In 2001, Afghanistan is under the control of the Taliban. When her father is captured, a determined young girl disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family.In 2001, Afghanistan is under the control of the Taliban. When her father is captured, a determined young girl disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family.In 2001, Afghanistan is under the control of the Taliban. When her father is captured, a determined young girl disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
25K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Nora Twomey
  • Writers
    • Anita Doron(screenplay)
    • Deborah Ellis(screen story)
  • Stars
    • Saara Chaudry(voice)
    • Soma Chhaya(voice)
    • Noorin Gulamgaus(voice)
Top credits
  • Director
    • Nora Twomey
  • Writers
    • Anita Doron(screenplay)
    • Deborah Ellis(screen story)
  • Stars
    • Saara Chaudry(voice)
    • Soma Chhaya(voice)
    • Noorin Gulamgaus(voice)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 112User reviews
    • 119Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 22 wins & 56 nominations total

    Videos2

    Teaser
    Trailer 1:02
    Teaser
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:51
    Official Trailer

    Photos96

    The Breadwinner (2017)
    Angelina Jolie, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt at an event for The Breadwinner (2017)
    Angelina Jolie, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt at an event for The Breadwinner (2017)
    Angelina Jolie at an event for The Breadwinner (2017)
    Angelina Jolie, Nora Twomey, and Saara Chaudry at an event for The Breadwinner (2017)
    Saara Chaudry at an event for The Breadwinner (2017)
    Angelina Jolie, Nora Twomey, and Saara Chaudry at an event for The Breadwinner (2017)
    Angelina Jolie, Nora Twomey, and Saara Chaudry at an event for The Breadwinner (2017)
    The Breadwinner (2017)
    The Breadwinner (2017)
    The Breadwinner (2017)
    The Breadwinner (2017)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Saara Chaudry
    Saara Chaudry
    • Parvanaas Parvana
    • (voice)
    Soma Chhaya
    Soma Chhaya
    • Shauziaas Shauzia
    • (voice)
    • (as Soma Bhatia)
    Noorin Gulamgaus
    Noorin Gulamgaus
    • Idreesas Idrees
    • (voice)
    • …
    Laara Sadiq
    Laara Sadiq
    • Fattemaas Fattema
    • (voice)
    • …
    Ali Badshah
    Ali Badshah
    • Nurullahas Nurullah
    • (voice)
    • …
    Shaista Latif
    • Sorayaas Soraya
    • (voice)
    Kanza Feris
    • Sorceressas Sorceress
    • (voice)
    • …
    Kawa Ada
    • Razaqas Razaq
    • (voice)
    Kane Mahon
    Kane Mahon
    • Opticianas Optician
    • (voice)
    • …
    Ali Kazmi
    Ali Kazmi
    • Daryaas Darya
    • (voice)
    • …
    Mran Volkhard
    • Megaphoneas Megaphone
    • (voice)
    • …
    Reza Sholeh
    Reza Sholeh
    • Stall Selleras Stall Seller
    • (voice)
    • …
    Lily Erlinghauser
    • Zakias Zaki
    • (voice)
    Wamiq Furoghudin
    • Prison Gatekeeperas Prison Gatekeeper
    • (voice)
    Millad Hamidkohzad
    • Other Talib Boyas Other Talib Boy
    • (voice)
    • …
    Salaman Hamidkohzad
    • Male Shopperas Male Shopper
    • (voice)
    • …
    Abu Hashim Dostyar
    • Teen Boyas Teen Boy
    • (voice)
    • …
    Sapeda Hashim Dostyar
    • Child Market Selleras Child Market Seller
    • (voice)
    • …
    • Director
      • Nora Twomey
    • Writers
      • Anita Doron(screenplay)
      • Deborah Ellis(screen story) (based on the book by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This is the only film nominated for best animated feature at the 2018 Oscars not produced in the United States.
    • Goofs
      According to sources the film takes place in 2001. But the currency used in the film is Afghani which wasn't introduced until 2003.
    • Quotes

      Parvana: [Last Lines] Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that makes the flowers grow, not thunder.

    • Connections
      Featured in 75th Golden Globe Awards (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      The Crown Sleeps
      Performed by Felicity Williams and Elaha Soroor

      Original Song by Qais Essar

      Lyrics by Joshua Hill

      Arranged and Produced by Aaron Lightstone and Justin Gray

      Mixed and Remastered by Justin Gray

    User reviews112

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A Depressing albeit Uplifting Tale of Survival
    The beauty about discovering independent animated films outside of America is that you discover gems that could never be made here. In the case of today's film, it comes from the Irish studio Cartoon Saloon, known for making The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea. Although the film did go under the radar outside of getting an Oscar nom and premiering at TIFF in 2017, it's still regarded as a beloved feature amongst critics and film fans. What could have easily been done in live-action ends up working well in the other medium to really bring to life the turmoil in Afghanistan through pure artistry.

    The Breadwinner focuses on a little girl named Parvana who lives under the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. After her father is arrested without charge, Parvana disguises herself as a boy to support her family, whilst working alongside a friend of hers named Shauzia. As a lead, Parvana helps drive the film forward so she can save her loved ones, and the stakes that come from living in such an oppressive country make us sympathize with her. That being said, there is a sense of optimism displayed through both her and Shauzia, as they cleverly trick the hierarchy who view them as boys. It's also neat how the filmmakers made Parvana feel relatable by displaying her home life that shows as many sibling rivalries and issues as the average family.

    It's neat how even though the film details many hardships, it also has several moments of sweetness and levity. The film sporadically showcases a story told by Parvana that ends up connecting to all the events happening to her, and it does it in a way where we want to know how it all ends. In terms of dark content, the film does not shy away from displaying the violence, evil from the order and even bits of war to heighten up Parvana's desperation and risk taking. However, there are still moments of soothing relaxation, especially whenever Parvana tells her story, allowing the viewers to digest the severely tense moments. While they can interrupt the main narrative's flow sometimes, it's still cool to see the contrast between the harsh reality and uplifting fantasy displayed in this film.

    Cartoon Saloon outdid themselves with their previous features in terms of animation, and this film is no exception. The overall Middle-eastern inspired designs of the film create a very stylish and angular hand-drawn feel that's become so rare to find nowadays. In addition, another notable contrast is how the film emulates reality in Parvana's state of being. In contrast, the stories she tells are presented in a more abstract and storybook illustrative aesthetic that gives one the impression they are viewing an ancient narrative. Where the real world is murky, grainy and filled with bright lights and grim shadows, the surreal worlds of the story display a very versatile amount of colors, designs and characters to utilize the much needed creativity from a storyteller.

    Although by no means a happy go lucky film, The Breadwinner succeeds very well in telling a narrative through the harsh realities of growing up in a dangerous country filled with oppression and prejudice. If you haven't seen this film yet, definitely check it out. It works as a story of feminism, it works as a blend of differing mediums shown throughout different states of reality, and it especially works as a biting tale on surviving in a country filled with tyrannical cruelty. This is the kind of underrated gem that demands a larger audience, so it can go on to become a cult classic and then a beloved film by more than just animation buffs. If Cartoon Saloon keeps pushing themselves to making more unique and great content like this, I think they're in for a wonderful future.
    helpful•16
    0
    • elicopperman
    • Dec 31, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 17, 2017 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Ireland
      • Canada
      • Luxembourg
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Aircraft Pictures (Canada)
      • Cartoon Saloon (Ireland)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Cô Bé Dũng Cảm
    • Production companies
      • Aircraft Pictures
      • Cartoon Saloon
      • Mélusine Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $313,215
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $17,395
      • Nov 19, 2017
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,790,214
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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