“Everything changes stories remind us of that”. One thing that won’t change is that The Breadwinner is a delightful animated film with a powerful, central message.
The Breadwinner is delicate yet strong and clearly gets its message across. An emotionally devastating and intelligent examination of why Afghanistan is gripped by this totalitarian rule of terror.
The animation allows for quick interchange between reality and the retelling of ancient tales. In the Breadwinner, 11 year old Parvana’s father is taken by the Taliban and without an adult male, their fate appears to be sealed. Until Parvana takes drastic action so that they can survive. She pretends to be a boy.
How is it diverse?
In telling the story from a female perspective, those whom the Taliban strive to silence we are able to have a different view of society. Usually, all that is shown on the news is the terrible airstrikes but here we are able to hear from those who remain and see and hear their stories.
What is beautiful about this sweet film is that whilst the subject matter is desperate and awful there is always hope. That flowers will again blossom in Afghanistan and nothing stays the same forever: “ It’s rain, not thunder the makes the flowers grow”. Throughout the film, we await the rains. The explanation of how such an awful rule could take place is explained in one line at the start of the film, the local people: “looked to those who could restore order but at what cost.” The cost is shown in this movie. Throughout, the action is interwoven the story of the Elephant King which helps to make it feel like a classic animated story.
This animated film is directed by Nora Twomey and will delight adults and older children equally. It manages to be both uplifting and hopeful despite the subject matter of the film.
The Breadwinner is released on Friday 25 May in cinemas across the UK.
