The Breadwinner

Name: The Breadwinner
Genre: Drama, Animation, Family
Released: November 17, 2017
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Ali Badshah, Ali Kazmi, Kane Mahon, Kanza Feris, Kawa Ada

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 79 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 79 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

GKIDS | Release Date: November 17, 2017 | PG-13

Starring: Ali Badshah, Ali Kazmi, Kane Mahon, Kanza Feris, Kawa Ada, Laara Sadiq, Noorin Gulamgaus, Saara Chaudry, Shaista Latif, Soma Bhatia

Summary: 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 drawsParvana 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.… Expand

Director: Nora Twomey

Genre(s): Drama, Animation, Family

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 94 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Phil de Semlyen

May 24, 2018

Director Nora Twomey’s film is about the ways we try to cradle each other from the harsher realities of life. This is a day-to-day survival story that stirs the heart and fires the imagination. Read full review

100

Sheri Linden

Oct 29, 2017

Not unlike her gutsy protagonist, Twomey moves through the charged landscape with extraordinary agility. Combining gripping suspense with a quote from the immortal Persian poet Rumi, she creates a stirring final sequence from the rising chords of terror and resilience. Read full review

Glenn Kenny

Nov 16, 2017

In its alternating of Parvana’s day-to-day struggle with the tale she tells herself, the movie doesn’t promote bromides about stories and storytelling transcending reality. Rather, it demonstrates that the way imagination refracts reality can provide not only solace but also real-world strategy. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Peter Sobczynski

Nov 17, 2017

An ambitious but occasionally uneven animated film. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Mar 6, 2018

At times the film shows itself an outsiders-looking-in take on the culture it depicts. Read full review

Sherilyn Connelly

Nov 16, 2017

It’s notable that since her hair is cut short and she’s wearing male clothes, none of the men suspect that she’s not a boy despite her chosen male name being only slightly less conspicuous than “McLovin.” Being evil is not the same thing as being intelligent or observant. Read full review

Diego Semerene

Nov 15, 2017

Cross-dressing in the story is merely a tool for survival, but such border-crossing is inevitably rife with unintended consequences beyond narrative ones. Read full review

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User Reviews

Youchlol

Sep 26, 2020

A powerful and emotional story about gender roles, a really well executed massage. Characters that are feel very human and unforgettable experience of a movie. This is a must watch for everyone. This is another fantastic film from cartoon saloon that is one of the best animated features of all time!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bradens584

Dec 20, 2020

The Breadwinner is breathtaking in every way. The story is great, but so, so sad. The acting is terrific. Visually, it is absolutely brilliant. It uses its 2D animation style to its advantage to create some awesome scenes. Directed by Nora Twomey, the Breadwinner follows Parvana, an 11 yearThe Breadwinner is breathtaking in every way. The story is great, but so, so sad. The acting is terrific. Visually, it is absolutely brilliant. It uses its 2D animation style to its advantage to create some awesome scenes. Directed by Nora Twomey, the Breadwinner follows Parvana, an 11 year old Afghan girl who pretends to be a boy to provide for her family after her father was arrested by the Taliban. But instead of painting a black and white picture of Afghanistan, it takes the time to show the great aspects of the people and culture, but it doesn’t shy away from the ugliness that is prevalent throughout these countries. A relevant film to watch in this day and age, highly recommended.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

IndieCrit

Apr 22, 2018

A negative score for this movie? They are a monster. I probably thought it was better than what others thought, but here I go. It's a beautiful tale of a girl who cuts her hair and pretends to be a boy to provide for her family in Afghanistan, as Taliban (a sexist terrorist group) threatensA negative score for this movie? They are a monster. I probably thought it was better than what others thought, but here I go. It's a beautiful tale of a girl who cuts her hair and pretends to be a boy to provide for her family in Afghanistan, as Taliban (a sexist terrorist group) threatens them. As the country is on the brink of war, they must flee, but Parvana must look for her father. Then there is also a fairy tale (will not spoil it) with beautiful animation. I have not seen "The Secret of Kells" but I want to. I recommend, but it can get very dark at some times.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

alejandro970

Jun 17, 2018

One of best examples of traditional animation, mixing elements of afghan mythology and a deep, cutting reflexion of a nation where preveals intolerance against women. A best example there`s does exists life beyond Disney.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Feb 21, 2018

If there's a lesson this film has taught me beyond its excellent yet harsh and rough theme, is that sometimes such good stories regardless of the medium in which they are told will be lost to popular consumerism.

The Breadwinner is a more complete, more focused and much more emotional filmIf there's a lesson this film has taught me beyond its excellent yet harsh and rough theme, is that sometimes such good stories regardless of the medium in which they are told will be lost to popular consumerism.

The Breadwinner is a more complete, more focused and much more emotional film than the one who will stole all the attention in the category of animated films in the Oscars this year, I'm talking about Coco.
And I don't care about the prize, the prize is merely symbolic, what this film needs, is more attention because its undeniable quality deserves it.

Obviously this is not a film aimed to children and yet they can watch it and I'm aware its narrative isn't so fluid but it's a great movie and I'll gladly recommend it to anyone.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

BrunoVn00

Mar 31, 2019

The Breadwinner is a good movie with a subject matter not commonly found in animated movies nowadays about an Afghanan girl forced to dress like a boy in order to rescue her father who was arrested in an unfair manner. This is obviously not aimed towards children and that's a good thingThe Breadwinner is a good movie with a subject matter not commonly found in animated movies nowadays about an Afghanan girl forced to dress like a boy in order to rescue her father who was arrested in an unfair manner. This is obviously not aimed towards children and that's a good thing because they can have some dark moments without thinking that "it would be innappropriate for children".

The Good:
-The animation looks nice. This movie shows that 2D animation still has potential even in a CGI era of animation.
-The dark subject matter this movie is about.
-The dialogue was good for the most part.

The Bad:
-Maybe the fact that it gets a little repetitive during the second act and the ending is pretty predictable. Obviously it's still satisfying but after reading the premise before watching it I pretty much predicted the ending, and I was right.
-I think some characters are underused. By that I mean that they could be a lot better developed if only they had more screen time and things to do.
-The character design looked a little lighthearted for the tone this movie had, but I understand that's the art style from Cartoon Saloon.

These are just little nitpicks I have and doesn't ruin the experience nor it changes my mind on this movie. It's not a terrible movie, it's not a bad movie, it's not an average movie and it's not a masterpiece either, it's a good movie that I actually enjoyed and I recommend it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Tyranian

Apr 7, 2020

Really good visually but the story plods along a bit. Voice acting is decent.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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