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The Breadwinner
2017 94 min Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg, United States of America PG-13 12+
★8.3
Animation, War, Drama, Family
Director: Nora Twomey
📖 Based on the novel
«The Breadwinner»
byDeborah Ellis
Trailers
Description
A headstrong young girl in Afghanistan, ruled by the Taliban, disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family.
US Gross:
$313,215
Worldwide:
$312,381
Starring
Saara Chaudry
Actor
Soma Chhaya
Actor
Noorin Gulamgaus
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 2018
— Best Animated Feature
European Film Awards 2019
— Audience Award
Academy Awards 2018
— Best Animated Feature
European Film Awards 2018
— Best Animated Feature
Key opinion
The Breadwinner is widely acclaimed as a visually exquisite and emotionally resonant animation that masterfully balances the harsh realities of life under Taliban rule with a child's imaginative perspective. While nearly all reviewers praise its artistic achievement and thematic weight, a small minority finds the narrative simplicity or the somber tone to be occasionally tedious.
| Production | The 2D animation style is consistently hailed as exquisite and beautiful, with its unique Eastern-inspired aesthetic serving as an effective ethnographic study. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds as a poignant, non-infantile drama that portrays the resilience of women and children within an oppressive religious regime. | |
| Score | The score is elevated by critics as a premium element that significantly enhances the film's emotional gravity and cultural atmosphere. | |
| Acting | The voice acting, particularly Saara Chaudry’s lead performance, is commended for adding necessary depth and authenticity to the characters. | |
| Direction | Nora Twomey’s direction successfully employs a child's-eye view to navigate adult conflicts, avoiding gratuitous violence while maintaining political and social critique. | |
| Originality | Some viewers find the storytelling powerful and poignant, while others argue the central themes—such as the dangers of intolerance and the power of imagination—are somewhat unoriginal or simplistic. | |
| Pacing | While many find the pacing and atmosphere deeply immersive, some viewers experience the grim, somber narrative as occasionally boring or exhausting. |