The Breadwinner

(Cartoon Saloon, Aircraft Pictures, Guru Studio, Jolie Pas, Irish Film Board, Melusine Productions, Telefilm Canada | GKIDS) Director: Nora Twomey Release Date: November 17, 2017 Synopsis: This beautifully animated film centers on a brave Afghan girl named Parvana, who is forced to assume a male identity in order to gain employment to support her family, after the wrongful arrest of her father by the Taliban. Based on the award-winning book by Deborah Ellis. The Word: “The animated film…grapples with violence and other abuses inflicted on women by the Taliban. There’s room for humor, too, especially within the magical stories Parvana narrates, a complementary storyline rendered with breathtaking imagery and packing an emotional gut punch.” – Radheyan Simonpillai, NOW. Nomination Chances: Memories of the nomination for 2007’s Persepolis might be enough to garner one here, not to mention the emotional power of the film and the breath-taking 2D animation. Producing studio Cartoon Saloon (Ireland) has received noms for its two previous efforts The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea. Of course, the fact that Angelina Jolie is the film’s producer is an added bonus.