The Breadwinner Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A girl pretends to be a boy to feed her family and accidentally becomes the hero Afghanistan needed, probably.

🍿 The Breadwinner: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Life Under the Taliban

In Kabul, Afghanistan, 2001, Parvana, an 11-year-old girl, lives with her family under the oppressive rule of the Taliban. Her father, Nurullah, a former teacher, is arrested after a confrontation with Taliban soldiers. This leaves Parvana’s family—her mother, older sister, and baby brother—without a male guardian, severely restricting their ability to survive in public.

Parvana’s Disguise

To provide for her family, Parvana makes a courageous decision: she cuts her hair and disguises herself as a boy, adopting the name ‘Aatish’ (meaning ‘fire’). This allows her to move freely in the city, earn money, and purchase food, essential tasks forbidden to women without male accompaniment.

Friendship and Resilience

While navigating the dangerous streets, Parvana befriends Shauzia, another girl disguised as a boy. Together, they work hard, share dreams of escaping their circumstances, and support each other through the daily hardships and dangers of living under the Taliban.

A Quest for Freedom

Parvana embarks on a journey to find and free her father from prison. Her path crosses with various characters, including a repentant Taliban soldier named Razaq, and leads her through perilous situations, all while holding onto hope and the power of storytelling, inspired by the tales her father used to tell her.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Parvana (Saara Chaudry): A courageous and resourceful young girl who disguises herself as a boy to support her family after her father is unjustly imprisoned by the Taliban.
• Nurullah (Ali Badshah): Parvana’s father, a former teacher, who is arrested by the Taliban, leaving his family without a male guardian.
• Shauzia (Soma Chhaya): A young girl who also disguises herself as a boy to earn money, becoming Parvana’s friend and confidante.
• Fattema (Laara Sadiq): Parvana’s mother, a writer who faces hardship and oppression under the Taliban’s rule.
• Idrees (Noorin Gulamgaus): A volatile Taliban member who arrests Nurullah, setting off Parvana’s journey.
• Razaq (Kawa Ada): A Taliban guard who, after befriending Parvana, helps rescue her father.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Parvana: “Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that makes the flowers grow, not thunder.” – Parvana recites these words at the end of the movie, summarizing the power of storytelling and resilience.
• Nurullah: “Stories remain in our hearts even when all else is gone.” – Parvana’s father says this, emphasizing the importance of stories in preserving culture and hope amidst adversity.
• Shauzia: “Maybe if we tell ourselves a better story, we’ll get one.” – Shauzia shares this sentiment, highlighting the role of stories to create the desired future.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $313,215
• Worldwide Gross: $2,790,214

💥 The Breadwinner Reviews

Personal Review

This movie wrecked me. I went in expecting a nice animated film, and instead, I was gut-punched by the realities of life in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Parvana’s bravery is inspiring, and the film does a great job of balancing the harsh realities with moments of hope and beauty. The animation style is unique, and the story is so compelling. The ending was open ended and left me feeling hopeful but also anxious. It makes you grateful for the freedoms we enjoy.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of animated films with strong female leads”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about resilience and hope”
  • “Those seeking films that offer insights into different cultures”
  • “Audiences who appreciate thought-provoking and emotional narratives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of war and violence”
  • “Oppression and injustice”
  • “Loss and grief”
  • “Some disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “The Breadwinner is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that tackles difficult subject matter with sensitivity and grace. The animation is beautiful, and the story is both heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful. A must-see for audiences of all ages.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A powerful and moving story about a young girl’s courage and resilience in the face of adversity. The Breadwinner is a beautifully animated film that shines a light on the plight of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.
• Screen International: “The Breadwinner is a beautifully told story that will stay with you long after the credits roll. The animation is gorgeous, the characters are compelling, and the message is one of hope and resilience.

Audience Reactions

The animation style is stunning and sets it apart from other animated films.: Viewers praise the film’s emotional depth and its honest portrayal of life in Afghanistan.

Parvana’s strength and determination resonated deeply with audiences.: Many felt the film was a powerful and important story that needed to be told.

Overall Consensus: The Breadwinner is a critically acclaimed animated film praised for its beautiful animation, powerful story, and important message. It is a moving and thought-provoking film that is sure to stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

Awards

1. Annie Award (Best Animated Independent Feature)- 2018
2. Satellite Award (Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature)- 2017

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Angelina Jolie served as an executive producer for the film, leveraging her influence to bring attention to this important story.”
• “The film is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Deborah Ellis, who spent years interviewing Afghan refugees to ensure authenticity.”
• “To accurately portray the environment and culture, the filmmakers consulted with Afghan cultural advisors throughout the production process.”
• “The film uses two distinct animation styles: one for the realistic portrayal of Kabul and another, more stylized one for the fantastical stories Parvana tells.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Breadwinner?

Currently, “The Breadwinner” is available for streaming on platforms like Apple TV and Hoopla. You can also rent or purchase the movie on demand through services like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television broadcasts, as availability may vary.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Breadwinner, you might like these similar films:

• Persepolis (2007): Both films are animated and tell the story of a young girl growing up in a restrictive and war-torn Middle Eastern country.
• Waltz with Bashir (2008): Deals with war trauma and memory in a unique animated format, offering a mature perspective on conflict.
• Osama (2003): Shares the theme of a young girl disguising herself as a boy under the Taliban regime, providing a live-action perspective.

🛒 The Breadwinner Related Products

• The Breadwinner (Deborah Ellis): The original novel by Deborah Ellis that inspired the film. Provides a deeper dive into Parvana’s world and the challenges she faces.
• The Secret of Kells (Blu-ray): Another visually stunning animated film from Cartoon Saloon, the studio behind The Breadwinner. Explore their unique style and storytelling.
• Afghan Women’s Writing Project: A Thousand Sighs, A Thousand Revolts: An anthology of writing by Afghan women. Provides real-world insight into the lives and struggles depicted in The Breadwinner.
• Handmade Afghan Rug: Authentic Afghan rugs made by artisans in Afghanistan. Purchase supports local craftspeople and preserves cultural heritage.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Breadwinner features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Crown Sleeps” – performed by Felicity Williams and Elaha Soroor
• “Original Score by” – performed by Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

ANIMATION IS LIMITLESS.

Ever wondered how ‘The Breadwinner’ stacks up against other animated masterpieces? This video gives you a taste of animation’s limitless potential, and honestly, it’s super cool to see our movie featured among so many greats!

✨ Rate