Based on the award-winning and best-selling young adult novel by Deborah Ellis, 'The Breadwinner' is directed by Cartoon Saloon’s Nora Twomey, co-director of 'The Secret of Kells' alongside Tomm Moore.
“On behalf of the entire cast and crew of The Breadwinner, I am absolutely delighted that the film will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival,” Nora Twomey tells Hot Press.
“Toronto is home to so many of our talented team and is where the idea to adapt the book was first formed. This will complete a full circle for The Breadwinner film and I hope audiences enjoy it as much as we've enjoyed making it.”
The book has sold 2.5 million copies sold worldwide across 25 languages. Its author Deborah Ellis also wrote the screenplay along with Anita Doron.
The film is about Parvana, a young girl living under the Taliban regime, who cuts her hair and disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family after her father is imprisoned.
Of her involvement with the film due out later this year, Jolie, whose company also co-produced the film, has this to tell us, “I am proud to be a part of this beautiful film with this timely and very important subject matter.
"Millions of girls around the world have to grow up before their time, working to provide for their families at a very young age and in difficult circumstances.
"They have the strength to do what no one should ask little girls to do. I hope this film is able to bring this discussion to a broader audience."
She adds, "As much as it is an important and very meaningful film, it also stands on its own as a great piece of art. Director Nora Twomey and her team have done something very special.
"They have breathed life into the characters and paid respect to the subject matter and to a country where women often struggle.”
Hailed as a "powerful and riveting story of self-empowerment and imagination in the face of oppression", The Breadwinner boasts the breathtaking hand-drawn animation that has made Cartoon Saloon one of the world’s most well-loved and respected animation studios.
Published by Groundwood Books, The Breadwinner novel has been in print for over 15 years and is recommended reading in numerous schools throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Author Deborah Ellis recently completed My Name is Parvana, the fourth book in the series, which has cumulative sales exceeding 2.5 million copies across 25 languages.
To date, Ellis has donated more than $1 million from her book royalties to the charity Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. The book was recently endorsed by Nobel Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who told the New York Times, “The Breadwinner reminds us how courageous and strong women are around the world.”
The film will premiere in the UK and Ireland in early 2018. You can watch the teaser trailer here...