We continue our series of reviews chronicling all of the (non-Studio Ghibli) animated films distributed by GKIDS Films — some of the most original and breathtakingly beautiful animated films from around the world — and how they hold up for a young American audience.

The entire retrospective is found here, and this time we’ve got…

The Breadwinner (2017):
Nora Twomey, director

What’s it about?

Parvana is 11 years old and lives in Kabul, Afghanistan, with her family. The year is 2001. The Taliban is in full control of the country. Sharia law prevents women and girls from doing… basically anything. And war with the United States is on the horizon.

Parvana’s father is a retired teacher who was left disabled during the Soviet-Afghan War and works as a street hawker in the local market. Defying all official orders and societal norms, he is secretly teaching Parvana to read. And she has become quite the storyteller.

But when her father is suddenly taken away by the Taliban, her family is left in an extremely dangerous position without another male family member to go out in public and do basic things like buy food. Parvana ultimately cuts her hair and impersonates a boy so they don’t starve to death.

On the streets of Kabul, she discovers freedom, friendship, and the courage to save her family. She also draws strength from her stories, which unfold on screen in a series of brilliantly animated vignettes.

What are the cultures at play? And how about the languages?

The Breadwinner is set in Afghanistan in 2001, during the final days of Taliban rule before the U.S invasion and war in the wake of September 11. Parvana’s life is consumed by strict Sharia law, which demands women stay home, remain covered, and be accompanied by men at all times.

The film is based on a novel of the same name by Deborah Ellis, which was published in 2000 and obviously didn’t include anything about the U.S. invasion or ensuing war. The two versions also depart in several key respects, but the heart of Parvana’s story remains the same.

Produced by Cartoon Saloon – the amazing folks behind The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea – Tomm Moore’s upstart studio continues to prove it can’t miss. The film was produced in English, and the characters speak with a Pashto accent, but none are so thick that it prevents understanding. Young kids might have difficulty, but everyone else should be fine.

Will my kids like it? Is there anything objectionable for young kids?

The film is rated PG-13, and that seems like a good guide for most parents. The rating is earned for scenes of violence and war. Though there aren’t scenes of graphic violence or (too much) blood, there is plenty of violence on a more personal, intimate level (fighting, beating, shooting), along with intense mental anguish.

It’s an incredibly tense movie about an oppressive regime in which women were third-class citizens. Parvana is almost constantly in danger, and the climax of the movie is particularly intense.

Young kids, especially those who are fortunate to live within a safe bubble and are only familiar with Disney-style happy endings, will likely have a lot of questions about Parvana’s predicament, why she needs to disguise herself as a boy, and life in Kabul in 2001. (Comparisons to Mulan can only go so far and are woefully inadequate.)

Will I like it?

I’ve recently gone through a string of surprisingly mediocre films for this GKIDS retrospective, so The Breadwinner was a brilliant change of pace. It’s the first true masterpiece I’ve seen from the distributor in far too long. It’s so amazingly well done that I can’t really find any fault with it.

It’s a powerful story that will both break your heart and uplift your spirit. It will make you cry tears of both sadness and joy, and it will reaffirm your faith in the power of stories.

The Breadwinner was nominated for the Best Animated Feature at both the Academy Awards and Golden Globes (where it lost to Coco at both, which… sigh).

How can I see it?

GKIDS and Universal released a Blu-ray edition of the film with a few special features: an audio commentary with the filmmakers, an introduction with director Nora Twomey and Angelina Jolie (who was an executive producer), a making-of featurette, and some trailers. The film is also available digitally from most retailers and is currently on Netflix.

Final word?

It’s a genuine masterpiece. You have no excuse not to watch this gorgeous film.