Celebrated Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has signed a contract with an Irish production company to produce an animated movie ‘The Breadwinner’, based on the story of an Afghan girl.
 
The movie is an adaptation of an internationally acclaimed novel by same name written by Deborah Ellis, which tells the story of a young Afghan girl named Parvana who lived during the reign of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
 
Parvana faces many hardships after her father is imprisoned on flimsy charges. But, the intrepid young girl confronts all challenges and disguises herself as a boy to become the breadwinner for her family.
 
The movie will be directed by ace Irish filmmaker Nora Twomey and the screenplay will be written by Deborah Ellis and Anita Doron.
 
Ms Jolie will serve as an executive producer alongside Gerry Shirren of Kilkenny-based Cartoon Saloon and Academy Award-nominated producers Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer.

Parvana faces many hardships after her father is imprisoned on flimsy charges. But, the intrepid young girl confronts all challenges and disguises herself as a boy to become the breadwinner for her family

Paul Young of Kilkenny-based Cartoon Saloon is quoted by Irish Times saying that Jolie will give any money she makes in the project for girls’ education in Afghanistan.
 
“She has a personal attachment as she already helps a school for Afghan girls,” he said.

 The production work will begin this month and the film will be set for release in 2017. Cartoon Saloon, an Irish animation studio and production company, will take up the project.
 
Jolie, in a statement published by Hollywood Reporter, said the story of ‘The Breadwinner’ is a reminder of the contribution made by millions of girls like Parvana who grow up under oppression or conflict and are forced to help their families to survive in those conditions.
 
“I am delighted to be working with a talented team of artists who I know will do justice to the richness, creativity and strength of Afghan culture and to little girls like Parvana,” she said.
 
Jolie, who is a special envoy for United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), is known for her humanitarian work in many conflict-ridden places across the world.
 
The movie will depict the rich history, culture and natural beauty of Afghanistan and is also expected to be released in Dari, one of the official languages of Afghanistan.
 
‘The Breadwinner’ was published by Groundwood Books in 2000, and won several awards, including the Peter Pan Prize and the Middle East Book Award.