May 16, 2017

Cartoon saloon to release "Breadwinner" teaser trailer

Cartoon Saloon and GKIDS have released the first teaser trailer from The Breadwinner, the Afghanistan-set feature directed by Nora Twomey.

The film is slated for a fall 2017 theatrical release in North America:

The Breadwinner is based on the novel of the same name by Deborah Ellis, telling the story of Parvana, a young girl living under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan who, after her father's imprisonment, disguises herself as a boy to become the family's breadwinner. Ellis wrote the screen story, and Anita Doron contributed the screenplay. The film, according to its producers, “celebrates the culture, history and beauty of Afghanistan with a cast that includes many performers of Afghan descent.”

An Ireland-Canada-Luxembourg co-production, Breadwinner also has involvement from Canada's Aircraft Pictures and Luxembourg's Melusine Productions, and is being produced in association with Angelina Jolie's Jolie Pas Productions. The film also marks the first time that GKIDS is serving in a producing and financing capacity on a feature film, in addition to its previous role as distributor.

Breadwinner is produced by Aircraft Pictures' Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen, Cartoon Saloon's Tomm Moore and Paul Young, and Melusine Productions' Stephan Roelants. It is executive produced by Angelina Jolie, Jehane Noujaim, Karim Amer, Mimi Polk Gitlin, Jon Levin, Regina K. Scully, Frank Falcone, Mary Bredin, Cartoon Saloon's Gerry Shirren, and GKIDS' Eric Beckman and David Jesteadt.

“I am proud to be a part of this beautiful film with this timely and very important subject matter,” says Angelina Jolie of her involvement with the project. “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. 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.”

Westend Films is handling international sales.