The award-winning animated film, The Breadwinner, is based on Deborah Ellis’ bestselling novel that tells a story of girl empowerment and the powerful use of imagination in the face of adversity and gender discrimination. The film followed the perseverance of eleven-year-old Parvana as she disguised herself as a boy to provide for her family after her father was wrongfully arrested in Kabul. Parvana also relied on storytelling for strength and courage to overcome fear and adversity. The film received several nominations and won the 2017 Los Angeles and Toronto Film Critics Association Awards for Best Animated Feature.
the_breadwinner_film_poster.jpg
“Storytelling is a powerful approach used to highlight how women struggle in order to elevate their status and to address their rights,” says Dr. Mona Tajali, Assistant Professor of International Relations and Women’s Studies at Agnes Scott College. The stark reality is that there are still countries in the world today where it is harder to be a young girl, and where barriers between girls and their dreams and rights are painful to experience, observe, and fully comprehend.
In recognition of International Women’s Day, the Ismaili Council for Southeastern United States, in partnership with the Consuls General of Canada and Ireland and the Honorary Consul of Luxembourg, hosted the screening of the film and held a moderated panel discussion, which also included Dr. Tajali and Executive Producer of Aircraft Pictures, Andrew Rosen. The theme for International Women’s Day this year was “Balance for Better.” The Consuls General each shared what steps their respective countries are taking to improve gender-based disparities. They also shared some of the major impediments to gender equality that still exist in their respective countries.
The screening was attended by members of the Ismaili community and the public. The film takes its rightful place in the many works that have been created to stress the need for gender equality, uniquely utilizing the concept of animation. “The way they used animation to tell a complex, challenging story was magnificent,” said Marina Peed, Executive Director/CEO of Mosaic Georgia, who attended the screening.
Rosen provided his insight on how this exciting project came together, the roles that Canada, Ireland, and Luxembourg each played in contributing to this film, and how Executive Producer Angelina Jolie became involved. “The power of the story got us all working together,” he stated. “It was an organic, co-production between the three countries,” he further added.
Dr. Tajali spoke about the plight of women and girls in the Muslim world compared to western societies. “Neither 'group' compose a monolith – the plight of women vary according to their positionality ranging from class to race to religion,” she stated. She further highlighted the commonalities and sense of solidarity that many women share with one another across the world, and was hopeful that we would move beyond the often dichotomous language that we hear of “east versus west” or “them versus us.”
With the backdrop of Parvana reminding us about the hardships and adversity faced by women and girls, and as we embrace this year’s theme of “Balance for Better,” the future for gender equality is promising if we all play our part. We are living in times where the world increasingly expects fairness and equality. Each one of us will need to determine what our story will be and how history will view our contributions towards a more balanced society.
See The Breadwinner trailer here.
