Summary
The Breadwinner is a moving animated drama film released in 2017, which was directed by Nora Twomey and adapted from Deborah Ellis’s highly praised book. It tells the story of a girl named Parvana and her challenging life in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan. The film beautifully captures the heartwarming story through animations emphasizing her spirit, family, identity as well as the inability of the human soul to give up during challenges and trials.
Parvana’s character is that of an 11 year old girl who was living in a family with a father Nurullah. Nurullah was a teacher but due to the circumstances, he had to transition to writing and reading letters in the market. When we Parvana he was performing his daily chores. There was her country’s culture and history that Nurullah was excited to share with her.
The family of Parvana had to go through a lot of phases. The city which was surrounding them had a lot of hurdles. Along with that people had many restrictions about what women or girls ought to do outside their homes. In all circumstances, hope was the last thing to go. In the family, mother Fattema, her daughter Soraya, and her son Zaki do not need to go far in life to seek shelter.
No one expected the day would come when they would have to deal with the shame of their father being taken away, especially at such a crucial point of their lives. The family found themselves in a precarious situation. The women, on the other hand, have been told that they are not allowed to leave the house to buy basic groceries, earn a living, or even stroll in public without a male guardian. The situation is worsening with the ongoing power shifts.
Every heroic deed starts with a decision and in this case, it was taken through the eyes of Parvana. She dressed up as a boy, wore the clothes of her deceased brother, and cut her hair to venture in the city without being persecuted. Parvana, as “Aatish,” could fulfill the responsibilities of a father during these times of hardship. She was able to earn a profit, purchase groceries, and food to help her family during these times, assuming the role of the “breadwinner” in the house.
In this difficult journey, Parvana happened to meet Shauzia, another girl that was pretending to be a boy for the same reason. The two of them formed a strong bond, completing their day by working as a team, telling each other their hobbies, and hoping for a day when they could leave that city.
Conflict is an inseparable aspect of every human life and in the case of forty five years old Parvana, it is every ounce of life the woman has left. Of all the comforting techniques, the one that stands out to the woman and provides her with the greatest satisfaction is fictional tale telling. She starts sharing the story of a young boy named Sulayman who, in a great adventure, tries to defeat a bad guy and restore light in his dominion. This story, serves as a parallel to the life story of Parvana, abstractly providing stregth and hope and strongly evoking the power of imagination.
In the course of the film, it becomes obvious that Parvana is even more courageous and determined. She embraces the folly that her father is alive and that the actions she takes will stop her family from starving. Given the conditions, this is an optimistic point of view. Parvana is not just keeping her family in one piece, she is also her true self, discovering the essence and the impact of the words, freedom, love and responsibility.
The composer along with the skilled members of his team created an magnificient emotionally laden story with a hint of depth and an elaborate story.
Voice cast:
Chaudry, who is a Saara, masterfully combines the complex characteristics of the voice of a strong, emotionally deep and sensitive woman as Parvana. This is done with great skill and care. Saara, in her passionate portrayal of Parvana, makes the character unspeakably realistic. The monologue and depth of feeling is moving.
Soma Bhatia as Shauzia: Bold and optimistic, Shauzia is one of Parvana’s close friends. Bhatia’s voice work brings Shauzia’s hope and spirit to life.
Ali Badshah as Nurullah (Parvana’s Father): A gentle and thoughtful individual, he forgets important elements of life such as education and the art of storytelling. Badshah’s voice serves the character well, providing warmth despite seldom appearing in the movie.
Shaista Latif as Fattema (Parvana’s Mother): Latif’s work illustrates the love, strength, and quiet sorrow of a mother who desperately tries to keep her family united.
Laara Sadiq as Soraya (Parvana’s Sister): Soraya is a hard-headed adolescent. As such, she provides a new perspective to the family’s relations.
Creative Team:
Director: Nora Twomey, director of The Breadwinner. Twomey is one of the founders of Cartoon Saloon, an Irish animation studio that has produced fine animated films such as The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea. The direction she put in The Breadwinner has given the movie a deeply considered and serious overtone.
Screenwriter: Anita Doron and Deborah Ellis (as the book’s practitioner) adapted the novel to screen for the targeted audience that is wider than the initial readers and has, in the process, kept the soul of the novel untouched.
Producers: The film was produced by Anthony Leo, Tomm Moore, and Angelina Jolie, who also served as an executive producer. Through her role, Jolie was able to bring global attention to the endeavor.
Composer: The score of the film was crafted by Jeff Danna and Mychael Danna, who incorporated elements of Afghan music into the score’s musing. The score is delicate and melancholy and reflects the film’s themes of struggle and aspiration.
IMDb Ratings and Critical Reception
The Breadwinner is rated 7.7 and is among the most appreciated films on the site. The film was recognized for its unique storytelling, outstanding animation, and its delicate approach to tackling challenging issues.
Critics and audiences both praise the film’s approach to tackling heavier issues, especially for its unique perspective of storytelling through the eyes of a child. The themes in the film explain Parvana’s deep courage and intelligence in a way that’s empowering. The additional layer of having a story within a story engages the audience in both imagination and reality.
The animation also received acclaim. Rather than rely on highly polished or technologically sophisticated images, the film features hand-drawn animation and a soft, earthy color palette that matches the culture and feelings of the story. The animated parts of Parvana’s fictional story are rendered in a cut-paper style that suggests imagination.
The film also received a number of awards and nominations, including:
Nominated, Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, 2018.
Winner, Annie Award for Best Animated Feature – Independent.
Winner, Canadian Screen Award for Best Motion Picture.
Nominated, Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
These awards indicate the film’s influence, allowing it to be considered both artistically and thematically important to people of all ages.
Conclusion
The Breadwinner is a thrilling and heart-stirring story that demonstrates the ability of imagination, love, and courage to rise above even the most trying conditions. Parvana’s tale makes the viewer conscious of the many silences possessed by the young, quiet but fierce and responsible guardians of the future.
The movie pays tribute as much to the determination of one girl as it does to the profound essence of narratives. Blending real-life struggle with imagination and dream, The Breadwinner is a profound, respectful and unforgettable visual experience.
Whether it is parents, teachers or anyone in search of good and worthwhile stories, The Breadwinner is a well-made movie with a simple yet powerful message: in the presence of evil, there is always a beacon of hope to guide you.
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