The Breadwinner

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The Breadwinner

PG-13

Released Nov 17, 2017

1h 34m

Drama

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

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106 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Parvana is an 11-year-old girl who lives under Taliban rule in Afghanistan in 2001. After the wrongful arrest of her father, Parvana cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy to support her family. Working alongside a friend, she soon discovers a new world of freedom and danger. Drawing strength from the fantastical stories she invents, Parvana embarks on an epic quest to find her father and reunite her family.

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Critics Consensus

The Breadwinner's stunning visuals are matched by a story that dares to confront sobering real-life issues with uncommon -- and richly rewarding -- honesty.

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

A fantastical myth, woven through the propulsive main story, serves as a distraction to the characters in their most distressed moments. Story as lesson. Story as history. Also, story as entertainment. Story as escape.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 2, 2018

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Along with the eerie beauty of the animation there is a salving streak of humour that softens this tale's sharper edges, reminding us that - for children - laughter and bravery walk hand in hand.

Rated: 5/5

May 27, 2018

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Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

This beautiful and continually surprising film makes us think about what children can and can't bear.

Rated: 4/5

May 25, 2018

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Kate Saccone

Vague Visages

The Breadwinner is a beautifully-constructed yet grueling story of female bravery that feels both timeless and timely.

Dec 12, 2023

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Carla Monfort

Espinof

... An animation gem that exudes sensibility and strikes a difficult equilibrium: heart-wrenching without being a tearjerker, and emotional without becoming an artificial motivational speech. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

May 30, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Unlike the dismal box office hit The Boss Baby, here's a toon flick that fully deserved its Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 31, 2021

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Jay W

"The Breadwinner" follows a family of five in 2001 Afghanistan. It focuses on the hardships and trials that come with trying to survive in this hostile community. The movie is perpetually dark and depressing. Not shying away from the darker realities that go on in the world. Breadwinner gives a good dose of perspective for anyone complaining about mundane "first world problems". This movie reminds me a lot of the Don Bluth movies of the 1980's. It focuses a lot on the struggles of our protagonist, which makes their quest to overcome all the more triumphant. I love the family dynamic in the story. The sisters may bicker at times, but they also share some very sweet and tender scenes together. Breadwinner teaches that, even if you don't know what to do, do what you can, and be kind. There isn't much in the way of levity, so all the sadness can wear on an audience. Without getting into spoilers, I feel the ending was a little rushed. I'm usually all for an abrupt finale, but I could have used one more scene in this film. They will occasionally switch animation styles as the characters tell a story, and if there is any comedic relief that is where it comes in. It makes a point to say that there is a power in the stories we tell. And there certainly is power in this story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

Full Review

anna s

literally one of if not the best movie ive ever seen, its one of those movies that can help portray/make you understand something(abt the characters, place,conflict,relationships etc)so easily and with little to no words. the characters are so well ritten. both art styles are beautiful. the colours themselves often help bring to light sertain aspects of the story which is really interesting. overall a masterpiece of a movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/24

Full Review

Dyanne G

it nice recommend very muchy

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/24

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Laura C

Un film toccante e ottimo per ricordare gli eventi orribili in Afganistan nel 2001 capolavoro da vedere assolutamente.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/11/23

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Thee S

Not a fan of the voice acting and trauma pile seen through an orientalist lens.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/28/23

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Tim A

Most boring movie ever and i got cancer

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/17/23

Full Review

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Nora Twomey

Director

Saara Chaudry

Parvana

Laara Sadiq

Fattema

Shaista Latif

Soraya

Ali Badshah

Nurullah

Noorin Gulamgaus

Idrees

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The Breadwinner: Teaser Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Parvana is an 11-year-old girl who lives under Taliban rule in Afghanistan in 2001. After the wrongful arrest of her father, Parvana cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy to support her family. Working alongside a friend, she soon discovers a new world of freedom and danger. Drawing strength from the fantastical stories she invents, Parvana embarks on an epic quest to find her father and reunite her family.

Director: Nora Twomey
Producer: Angelina Jolie, Anthony Leo, Tomm Moore, Andrew Rosen, Paul Young
Screenwriter: Anita Doron, Deborah Ellis
Distributor: GKIDS
Production Co: Guru Animation Studio, Aircraft Pictures, Mélusine Productions, Cartoon Saloon, Jolie Pas
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Violent Images)
Genre: Drama, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 17, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $302.9K
Runtime: 1h 34m

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