The Breadwinner

The Breadwinner (2017) is a Canadian-Irish-Luxembourgish animated drama directed by Nora Twomey and produced by Cartoon Saloon, based on the best-selling novel by Deborah Ellis. Set in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, the film follows Parvana, an 11-year-old girl who disguises herself as a boy after her father is wrongfully imprisoned. In a society where women are forbidden from going outside without a male relative, Parvana adopts the identity of “Aatish” to support her family. As she risks her life to provide food and medicine, she also escapes into storytelling, crafting a vivid tale about a boy confronting demons to save his village—a narrative that parallels her own struggle for survival and agency. Visually, The Breadwinner is a powerful blend of hand-drawn animation and textured, cut-paper-style sequences used for Parvana’s embedded fable. The contrast between the film’s muted, war-torn real world and the stylized, colorful fantasy sequences reflects the duality of hope and despair. The animation, while not flashy, is emotionally charged and deeply atmospheric, emphasizing expression and tone over spectacle. The score by Jeff Danna and Mychael Danna enhances the tension and tenderness without overwhelming the intimate nature of the story. Produced on an estimated budget of around $10 million, the film grossed approximately $4 million worldwide, which may seem modest, but its impact was far greater in critical and cultural terms. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and received a limited theatrical release, gaining traction through awards buzz and streaming platforms. Critically, The Breadwinner was widely acclaimed. It holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 78, with reviewers praising its emotional depth, narrative courage, and visual innovation. Many noted that it was one of the few animated films to tackle political repression, gender inequality, and the human cost of war with such sensitivity and authenticity. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the Golden Globe in the same category. It won Best Independent Animated Feature at the Annie Awards, and took home multiple honors from critics’ associations and international film festivals. Executive produced by Angelina Jolie, the film also sparked renewed interest in Afghan stories and women's rights through animation. The legacy of The Breadwinner lies in its unflinching portrayal of female resilience under oppression. It solidified Cartoon Saloon’s reputation for socially conscious animation and proved that the medium could handle weighty, real-world themes with grace and artistry. It remains one of the most important animated features of the 2010s, not only for its storytelling but for its willingness to confront the political through the personal.