Movie Review
Film- The Breadwinner
Directors-Nora Twomey
Genre- Animated film adapted from Deborah Ellis's novel
In many countries around the world we are facing a lockdown due to which we cannot venture out of our homes unless really essential.It is so frustrating at times to stay indoors and not be allowed to go out to work or buy things or even go out to eat or entertain yourself.Terrible living like this, right? Although we know this situation is temporary due to the corona pandemic, we feel caged and want the lockdown to end.
Now imagine how this predicament is not a temporary thing for the women and girls of Afghanistan. For years the war torn country has been taken over by the Taliban forces and girls and women cannot step out of their homes without being chaperoned by their male family members like their father, brother or husband.They have no access to education or entertainment of any form. They have no say in anything.There is no scope for music to be played, songs to be sung or photographs to be clicked there! Women folk only have to cook, clean, look after their homes and family and keep the male members happy.They cannot voice their opinions or draw attention to themselves in any manner. These are the circumstances where the story of Parvana, an eleven year old Afghani takes shape.
Parvana lives in a dilapidated house with her small family of her father who was a teacher injured in the Russian war, her mother, elder sister and little brother. She had another elder brother who was killed in an accident, a bye product of the war struck country. Parvana's father Nurullah Ali tries to make his daughters independent by telling them stories about their historic past. he has great hopes for them , yet he too knows that he is trying for the impossible.
Parvana joins her father when he goes to the market place to sell some meager belongings of theirs when they fall in hard times. her father is taken prisoner and this is where Parvana takes up the onus of getting father freed from the prison.In the meantime she also has to buy things for the family from the market. To do that she dresses up as a boy, wears her deceased brother's colothes and cuts her hair short. Now she is free to go to the market and she is happy at her new found freedom. Parvana builds a friendship with Shoujia, another girl who is dressed up as Dilawer.Together they share their dreams walking through the city and try to earn more money by doing odd jobs.There is a poignant scene where they are sitting amidst abandoned tanks with house sin ruins around them. Sitting in those morose surroundings Parvana tells stories of hope and magic.
Parallel to the story of Parvana is another story which Parvana uses as her source of inspiration and courage.She learns to be resilient and succeeds in getting her father out of prison with some help from a stranger .There are many challenges that Parvana and her family face and this story and at the end it seems like they have finally won over them. But , it is obvious that their troubles are far from over.
The animation for the film is brilliantly done due to which this film was nominated for the Oscars and many other awards.This is a story about demons, live landmines, beatings, curfews and prisons. It is also a story of resilience, courage, family ties, sacrifice, friendship and hope. The emotions are beautifully portrayed .Each animated frame looks realistic. The voice overs are apt for the characters portrayed. After a while we fail to notice that it is an animated film. The music is expressive and forms an essential part of the drama which unfolds before us. This film is a grave reminder that war and extremism can never keep anyone happy.This film is without doubt, a masterpiece. Not to be missed.
Film- The Breadwinner
Directors-Nora Twomey
Genre- Animated film adapted from Deborah Ellis's novel
In many countries around the world we are facing a lockdown due to which we cannot venture out of our homes unless really essential.It is so frustrating at times to stay indoors and not be allowed to go out to work or buy things or even go out to eat or entertain yourself.Terrible living like this, right? Although we know this situation is temporary due to the corona pandemic, we feel caged and want the lockdown to end.
Now imagine how this predicament is not a temporary thing for the women and girls of Afghanistan. For years the war torn country has been taken over by the Taliban forces and girls and women cannot step out of their homes without being chaperoned by their male family members like their father, brother or husband.They have no access to education or entertainment of any form. They have no say in anything.There is no scope for music to be played, songs to be sung or photographs to be clicked there! Women folk only have to cook, clean, look after their homes and family and keep the male members happy.They cannot voice their opinions or draw attention to themselves in any manner. These are the circumstances where the story of Parvana, an eleven year old Afghani takes shape.
Parvana lives in a dilapidated house with her small family of her father who was a teacher injured in the Russian war, her mother, elder sister and little brother. She had another elder brother who was killed in an accident, a bye product of the war struck country. Parvana's father Nurullah Ali tries to make his daughters independent by telling them stories about their historic past. he has great hopes for them , yet he too knows that he is trying for the impossible.
Parvana joins her father when he goes to the market place to sell some meager belongings of theirs when they fall in hard times. her father is taken prisoner and this is where Parvana takes up the onus of getting father freed from the prison.In the meantime she also has to buy things for the family from the market. To do that she dresses up as a boy, wears her deceased brother's colothes and cuts her hair short. Now she is free to go to the market and she is happy at her new found freedom. Parvana builds a friendship with Shoujia, another girl who is dressed up as Dilawer.Together they share their dreams walking through the city and try to earn more money by doing odd jobs.There is a poignant scene where they are sitting amidst abandoned tanks with house sin ruins around them. Sitting in those morose surroundings Parvana tells stories of hope and magic.
Parallel to the story of Parvana is another story which Parvana uses as her source of inspiration and courage.She learns to be resilient and succeeds in getting her father out of prison with some help from a stranger .There are many challenges that Parvana and her family face and this story and at the end it seems like they have finally won over them. But , it is obvious that their troubles are far from over.
The animation for the film is brilliantly done due to which this film was nominated for the Oscars and many other awards.This is a story about demons, live landmines, beatings, curfews and prisons. It is also a story of resilience, courage, family ties, sacrifice, friendship and hope. The emotions are beautifully portrayed .Each animated frame looks realistic. The voice overs are apt for the characters portrayed. After a while we fail to notice that it is an animated film. The music is expressive and forms an essential part of the drama which unfolds before us. This film is a grave reminder that war and extremism can never keep anyone happy.This film is without doubt, a masterpiece. Not to be missed.
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