The Breadwinner (2017)

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.

Director:

Nora Twomey

Writers:

Anita Doron (screenplay), Deborah Ellis (screen story)

Stars:

Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Noorin Gulamgaus

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 19 wins & 52 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Saara Chaudry	...	Parvana (voice)
Soma Chhaya	...	Shauzia (voice) (as Soma Bhatia)
Noorin Gulamgaus	...	Idrees / Sulayman (voice)
Laara Sadiq	...	Fattema / Old Woman (voice)
Ali Badshah	...	Nurullah / Talib Security Man (voice)
Shaista Latif	...	Soraya (voice)
Kanza Feris	...	Sorceress / Woman in Courtyard (voice)
Kawa Ada	...	Razaq (voice)
Kane Mahon	...	Optician / Kiln Owner / Crowd Voices (voice)
Ali Kazmi	...	Darya / Fruit Juice Vendor / Jail Warden / Various (voice)
Mran Volkhard	...	Megaphone / Market Seller (voice)
Reza Sholeh	...	Stall Seller / Fruit Seller / Guard Man on Bike / Teenage Boy #2 (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lily Erlinghauser	...	Zaki (voice)
Wamiq Furoghudin	...	Prison Gatekeeper (voice)
Millad Hamidkohzad	...	Other Talib Boy / Guard #2 (voice)

Storyline

From executive producer Angelina Jolie and the creators of the Academy Award nominated The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, comes the highly-anticipated new feature based on Deborah Ellis' bestselling novel. Parvana is an 11-year-old girl growing up under the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. When her father is wrongfully arrested, Parvana cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy in order to support her family. Working alongside her friend Shauzia, Parvana discovers a new world of freedom-and danger. With undaunted courage, Parvana draws strength from the fantastical stories she invents, as she embarks on a quest to find her father and reunite her family. Equal parts thrilling and enchanting, The Breadwinner is an inspiring and luminously animated tale about the power of stories to sustain hope and carry us through dark times.

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Plot Keywords:

gender disguise | afghanistan | prison | taliban | arranged marriage | 

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Genres:

Animation | Drama | Family | War

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the book of the same name

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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.

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Quotes

Parvana: But I'm not a boy!
Shauzia: You're not a boy, you're not a girl.

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Connections

Featured in The Oscars (2018)

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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 Reviews

Wow, wow.

It was good. Powerful film. As a writer, and a lover of a good story, this was a good story. A glimpse into the look of lives, human lives, that many seem to forget about whenever speaking about the middle east. It reminds me of a more, hopeful version of Grave of the fireflies. Again, a lot more hopeful, but no less powerful. Especially the ending. Worth watching.

Details

Official Sites:

Aircraft Pictures [Canada] Cartoon Saloon [Ireland]

Country:

Ireland Canada Luxembourg USA UK Philippines India

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 2017 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Parvana: Une enfance en Afghanistan

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,395, 19 November 2017

Gross USA:

$313,215

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,790,214

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aircraft Pictures, Cartoon Saloon, Mélusine Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1