Highly Anticipated Animated Feature, The Breadwinner, Opens in New York and LA This Friday, 17 November
Posted: 14th November 2017
The latest feature from the Academy-Award-nominated Irish animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, The Breadwinner, which marks the directorial feature debut of Nora Twomey (co-director, Academy Award®-nominated The Secret of Kells) will be released in New York and LA this Friday, 17 November.
The Breadwinner, which received its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September, is adapted from the children’s novel of the same name by Deborah Ellis and tells the story of eleven-year-old Parvana, who gives up her identity to provide for her family and to try to save her father’s life. A story of self-empowerment and imagination in the face of oppression, The Breadwinner also celebrates the culture, history and beauty of Afghanistan with a cast that includes many performers of Afghan descent.
Following its TIFF debut, the film was hailed as a “standout” of the festival, with Screen International calling it “accomplished” and honing in on the title’s incredible artistry; paying particular attention to its bravura display of technical skill that will mark it out as a festival favourite. The Breadwinner went on to win two major prizes at the inaugural Animation Is Film event in LA in October, taking home the Audience Award and the Grand Jury prize.
The Breadwinner features the voice talents of Saara Chaudry (Max & Shred) in the role of Parvana, Soma Bhatia (Degrassi: Next Class) as Shauzia, Laara Sadiq (Remedy) as Parvana's mother Fattema, Ali Badshah (The Cat In The Hat) as Parvana's father Nurullah, Shaista Latif (This is the Life) as Parvana's sister Soraya, and Kawa Ada (Jihad Gigilo) as Razaq.
The film is produced by Paul Young of Kilkenny’s Cartoon Saloon (Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells) alongside Canada's Aircraft Pictures, and Luxembourg's Melusine Productions and Angelina Jolie serves as the title’s executive producer. The Breadwinner was developed with support from Telefilm Canada, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, the Film Fund Luxembourg, Corus Entertainment, the Harold Greenberg Fund and the Belinda Stronach Foundation.
The film hits New York and LA cinemas on Friday, 17 November with an Irish release date set for 25 May, 2018.