Angelina Jolie-produced film ‘Breadwinner’ is about a girl vs. the Taliban

A new trailer has dropped for “The Breadwinner,” an Angelina Jolie-produced animated film focusing on the life of a young girl in Taliban-occupied Afghanistan.

The official synopsis for “The Breadwinner” reads:

“Parvana is a 12-year-old girl growing up under the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. When her father is arrested, Parvana dresses as a boy in order to work and provide for her family. Together with her best friend Shauzia, she risks discovery to try to find out if her father is still alive.”

The Cartoon Saloon film is from executive producer Angelina Jolie and GKIDS. Cartoon Saloon’s Nora Twomey, who previously co-directed “The Secret of Kells” with Tomm Moore, served as director on “The Breadwinner.”

“I am proud to be a part of this beautiful film with this timely and very important subject matter,” ComingSoon.net quoted Jolie as saying. “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.”

Jolie added that she hopes “The Breadwinner” will allow the issues it depicts to be discussed by a broader audience.

She also believes that, in addition to being a meaningful and important film, “The Breadwinner” is a wonderful piece of art. She praised Twomey and her team for their work on the project.

”They have breathed life into the characters and paid respect to the subject matter and to a country where women often struggle.”

“The Breadwinner” is based on Deborah Ellis’ bestselling young adult novel of the same name. Said novel has won multiple awards, such as the 2002 Middle East Book award and Peter Pan Prize.

The novel was published in 2000 and remains in print to this day. From her book royalties, Ellis has given $1 million in donations to the Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan charity. The book is recommended reading in many middle schools across Europe, Canada, and the US.

Ellis spent many months in Pakistan, where she interviewed girls and women in refugee camps. She then used this research material to inject her novel with the authenticity it’s now known for.

“The Breadwinner” will open in theaters later this year. — BM, GMA News