Cabin Fever Film: The Breadwinner

This screening took place on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 3:00 pmYukon Theatre

FREE FAMILY SCREENING - Cabin Fever film series

Parvana is an 11-year-old girl who lives under Taliban rule in Afghanistan in 2001. After the wrongful arrest of her father, Parvana cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy to support her family. Working alongside a friend, she soon discovers a new world of freedom and danger. Drawing strength from the fantastical stories she invents, Parvana embarks on an epic quest to find her father and reunite her family. Executive Produced by Angelina Jolie and based on the best-selling novel by Canadian peace activist-turned-author, Deborah Ellis. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Feature Animated Film The Breadwinner is a well-crafted and inspiring story with an important message about female empowerment, embodied in heroic Parvana, something people of all ages should embrace." - Bruce Demara, Toronto Star

Recommended for ages 11+ for frightening scenes and socially complex themes.

"The movie heartbreakingly captures the violent, anti-women, anti-intellectual, and even anti-literacy stance of the Taliban regime. Women are harassed and beaten for not covering themselves properly, being in public without a husband/father, and drawing attention to themselves. Taliban soldiers and followers intimidate and threaten characters and keep one imprisoned. A few mild insults pepper the dialogue ("crazy," "stupid," "enemy of Islam," etc.), but it's the realistic violence that's most likely to upset younger viewers. There's also a story-within-the-story in which skeleton ghosts, attacking jaguars, and an evil elephant king figure prominently, but it's not as frightening as the mistreatment of people (particularly girls and women) under Taliban rule. And, ultimately, themes of perseverance, curiosity, and courage prevail." Common Sense Media