To save her family, this Afghan girl must disguise herself as a boy

Summary

The animated film 'The Breadwinner' tells the story of Parvana, an Afghan girl who must disguise herself as a boy to support her family under the oppressive Taliban regime. As she navigates the harsh realities of life in Kabul, she embarks on a quest to free her imprisoned father, encountering both friendship and peril along the way. The narrative intertwines with a mythical tale of courage and ingenuity, reflecting Parvana's own journey to overcome adversity and restore her family's unity.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The story is set in Kabul, Afghanistan, during the Taliban regime, where women faced severe restrictions.
• 👧 The protagonist, Parvana, is an Afghan girl who disguises herself as a boy to support her family and buy necessities.
• 🛍️ Parvana's initial appearance is at a market with her father, selling goods to support the family's economy.
• 🚫 The Taliban's oppressive rule is highlighted by the prohibition on women leaving their homes without male accompaniment and serving in the market.
• 👨‍🏫 Parvana's father, a former teacher, imparts knowledge and history to his children, including the story of the Silk Road and Afghanistan's past.
• 💥 The narrative includes the harsh reality of war, as Parvana's father is taken to prison by the Taliban under false pretenses.
• 👥 Parvana's family dynamics are depicted, including her mother, older sister Soraya, and baby brother Zaki, all struggling with the consequences of war.
• 🏃‍♀️ Parvana's bravery is shown as she ventures out in disguise to secure food and resources for her family after her father's arrest.
• 🤝 Parvana forms a friendship with Shauzia (Deliwar), another girl in a similar situation, and they support each other.
• 📖 Parvana's literacy skills become a means of survival as she offers letter-reading services to earn money for her family.
• 🐘 The story within a story involves Parvana telling a tale of a boy confronting an elephant monster, which parallels her own struggle against oppressive forces.

Q & A

What is the main setting of the animated film 'The Breadwinner'?

The main setting of 'The Breadwinner' is the city of Kabul, Afghanistan, during the time of the Taliban regime.

Who is the protagonist of the story and what challenge does she face?

The protagonist is Parvana, an Afghan girl who must disguise herself as a boy to help her family's economy and survive under the Taliban regime.

Why were women prohibited from leaving their homes under the Taliban rule?

Under the Taliban rule, women were prohibited from leaving their homes except with their husbands and brothers due to the strict interpretation of Islamic law by the Taliban.

What role did Parvana's father, Baba, play in her life before the Taliban took control?

Baba was a teacher and taught Parvana and her siblings various school subjects, providing them with education and a sense of normalcy before the war.

How does the story of the elephant monster in Parvana's storytelling relate to her real-life situation?

The story of the elephant monster parallels Parvana's real-life struggles, where she, like the boy in her story, must face adversity and use her courage and resourcefulness to overcome challenges.

What incident led to Baba's arrest by the Taliban?

Baba was arrested by the Taliban on the pretext of possessing a forbidden book, which was a fabricated excuse by the Taliban.

How does Parvana's mother react when she is beaten by a man for violating the Taliban's rules?

Parvana's mother is left weak and bruised after being beaten, but she continues to fight for her family, showing resilience and determination.

What is the significance of Parvana cutting her hair and dressing as a boy?

Parvana cutting her hair and dressing as a boy is significant as it allows her to move freely in public spaces, buy food for her family, and seek help to free her father from prison.

Who is Shauzia, and how does she relate to Parvana's situation?

Shauzia, also known as Deliwar, is another girl who disguises herself as a boy for survival. She becomes a friend and ally to Parvana, sharing a similar plight and providing support.

What is the turning point for Parvana in her quest to free her father?

The turning point is when Parvana meets Razaq, who, after learning her true identity, agrees to help her free her father from prison by introducing her to his cousin, Roshan.

How does the story end, and what does it signify for Parvana and her family?

The story ends with Parvana successfully freeing her father from prison and reuniting with her mother, Soraya, and Zaki under the same moonlit sky, signifying hope and the possibility of rebuilding their lives together.

Outlines

00:00

🏪 Life Under Taliban Rule

The video script introduces 'The Breadwinner,' an animated film set in Kabul, Afghanistan, under Taliban rule. It tells the story of Parvana, an Afghan girl who must disguise herself as a boy to support her family after her father is unjustly imprisoned. The film begins in a bustling market where Parvana and her father are selling goods. Women are prohibited from leaving their homes without a male escort, and the harsh realities of life under the Taliban are highlighted as Parvana's father is arrested on false pretenses. The family's struggle to survive without their father and the community's indifference to their plight are depicted.

05:04

👦 Disguised as a Boy

In this paragraph, Parvana's transformation into a boy to navigate the restrictions placed on women is detailed. She cuts her hair and wears her brother's clothes, adopting the name Atis. Parvana's new identity allows her to move freely and provide for her family. She befriends another girl, Shauzia, who also disguises herself as a boy named Deliwar. Together, they work and survive in a society that limits their freedom. Parvana's efforts to free her father involve selling goods, offering letter-reading services, and ultimately seeking help from Razaq, a former acquaintance of her father.

10:10

🌙 A Family's Struggle and Hope

The final paragraph of the script describes the culmination of Parvana's efforts and the family's ongoing struggle. Parvana's mother, Soraya, and baby brother Zaki are forced to leave Kabul by a cousin, but they manage to escape and return home. Meanwhile, Parvana, with the help of Razaq, is able to secure her father's release from prison. The story within a story of Sulaiman, Parvana's deceased brother, is concluded, revealing the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit. The script ends with a poignant scene of the family looking at the moon, symbolizing unity and hope for a brighter future.

Keywords

💡Taliban Regime

The Taliban regime refers to the period when the Taliban, a militant group, controlled Afghanistan, enforcing strict Islamic law. In the video, this regime is depicted as oppressive, particularly towards women, who are not allowed to leave their homes without a male guardian. This harsh rule sets the backdrop for the story of Parvana, the main character, who must disguise herself as a boy to help her family.

💡Disguise

Disguise in the video refers to Parvana's decision to cut her hair and dress as a boy to navigate the dangerous, male-dominated society under Taliban rule. This act of disguise is central to the plot, enabling her to buy food and earn money for her family, activities forbidden to women under the regime.

💡Baba

Baba is Parvana's father, a former teacher who is imprisoned by the Taliban for possessing a 'forbidden' book. Baba represents the loss of intellectual freedom and the persecution of educated individuals under the Taliban. His imprisonment triggers the events that force Parvana to take drastic measures to support her family.

💡Kabul

Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, serves as the primary setting of the video. The city is depicted as a war-torn and oppressive environment under Taliban control. Kabul's markets, prisons, and homes reflect the harsh realities faced by the characters, particularly the restrictions imposed on women and the constant threat of violence.

💡Silk Road

The Silk Road is referenced by Baba when teaching Parvana about Afghanistan's rich history as a hub for trade and culture. This contrasts with the current state of the country under the Taliban, highlighting the loss of Afghanistan's former glory and the impact of ongoing conflict on its people.

💡Family

Family is a central theme in the video, illustrated by Parvana's deep bond with her father, mother, and siblings. The family's struggle to survive in a hostile environment underscores the importance of familial support and love in the face of adversity. Parvana's actions, driven by a desire to reunite with her imprisoned father and care for her family, reflect this theme.

💡Imprisonment

Imprisonment is a recurring theme, with Baba's unjust arrest by the Taliban serving as a catalyst for the story. The video portrays the arbitrary and brutal nature of the Taliban's rule, where intellectuals and those who oppose their ideology are often imprisoned without cause, leaving families devastated.

💡Survival

Survival is a key concept as Parvana and her family navigate life under Taliban rule. The video highlights the extreme measures they must take, such as Parvana's disguise and her mother’s defiance, to ensure their safety and well-being. This theme is illustrated through their daily struggles for food, freedom, and security.

💡War

War in the video refers to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, which has devastating effects on the characters' lives. The constant threat of violence, the presence of damaged tanks, and the fear of bombings are ever-present, shaping the oppressive atmosphere of the story and the characters' actions.

💡Storytelling

Storytelling is a significant motif in the video, used by Parvana to cope with her reality and to comfort her younger brother. The stories she tells, particularly about the boy Sulaiman and the elephant monster, mirror her own struggles and aspirations. Storytelling serves as a form of resistance, preserving hope and identity in a time of despair.

Highlights

The animated film The Breadwinner tells the story of an Afghan girl, Parvana, who must disguise herself as a boy to help her family during the Taliban regime.

The film is set in Kabul, Afghanistan, where women are prohibited from leaving their homes without a male relative.

Parvana's father, a former teacher, is arrested by the Taliban for having a forbidden book.

Parvana's mother is beaten when she tries to visit her husband in prison, highlighting the extreme restrictions and violence women face.

To support her family, Parvana cuts her hair and disguises herself as a boy named Atis, showing her courage and resourcefulness.

Parvana befriends another girl, Shauzia, who also disguises as a boy named Deliwar, demonstrating the widespread need for such measures among Afghan girls.

Parvana and Deliwar find work and earn money, illustrating the harsh reality that girls must pretend to be boys to survive.

The film weaves a parallel story of a boy named Sulaiman, Parvana's deceased older brother, who embarks on a mythical quest to retrieve stolen seeds.

Sulaiman's story within the film serves as a metaphor for Parvana's own struggle to save her family.

Parvana's storytelling ability becomes a powerful tool, helping her navigate the dangerous world around her.

The film explores themes of resilience, family bonds, and the importance of education and storytelling in the face of oppression.

Parvana's mother defies her cousin's orders, showing the strength and determination of Afghan women despite societal constraints.

The war intensifies, adding urgency to Parvana's mission to free her father and protect her family.

Parvana's encounter with Razaq, a Taliban member, reveals the complexity of characters and moral ambiguity within the story.

The film's climax sees Parvana successfully freeing her father with the help of Razaq, symbolizing hope and the power of compassion.

The Breadwinner ends with the family reunited under the same moon, signifying unity and the enduring spirit of the Afghan people.

Transcripts

Welcome to Storyflix. In this video, we will explain an animated film about an Afghan girl

who has to experience tough days under the Taliban regime. To help her family's economy,

she must disguise herself as a boy. Let's find out the entire storyline of The Breadwinner.

The Breadwinner started at a market in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan. At that time,

the market was bustling with people shopping. Parvana is accompanying her Baba selling stuffs.

At that time, the city of Kabul was controlled by the Taliban, so women were prohibited from

leaving their homes except with their husbands and brothers. The sellers are also not allowed

to serve female buyers. Baba is sad to see Parvana, who is about to sell her favorite

clothes. But Parvana insisted that she didn't need the shirt. Baba used to work as a teacher,

so he taught many school subjects to his children. Baba then asked Parvana to tell the history

of Afghanistan. Parvana began to talk about the Silk Road, where the Arabs were once great

traders. Afghanistan is blessed with fertile land, so many world leaders are fighting for

control of the country. Before the conflict broke out in the country, Baba's life was

beautiful in the past. Baba can play with his sister freely. But it all ended when war

broke out. Everyone was scared until the Taliban came to power and the women were forced to

stay inside at home. Baba asked Parvana to tell him again about the lesson he had been

taught until suddenly two Taliban soldiers came and bullied them both. The men were named

Idris and Razaq. Idris looks so angry seeing Parvana. A girl should not be out of the house.

But Baba explained that the bomb slashed his leg, and he needed Parvana to support him.

Baba knows Idris. Idris was one of the students he had taught before. But Idris doesn't seem

to care. He was very proud because he had joined the Taliban group. When Idris looked

at Parvana, he insisted that Parvana should be his wife. Even though at that time, Parvana

was still a child. Finally, Razaq took Idris away. Parvana and Baba then went home, but

they didn't realize that Idris was following them behind. At home, her mother was busy

cooking rice sprinkled with raisins. Her mother was a writer. In the house, there were also

Soraya, Parvana's older sister, and Zaki, her baby brother. Their lives have been awful

since the war broke out. They live in cramped huts and eat a plate of rice together. While

eating, suddenly Idris came with several men who immediately took Baba to prison. They

make up an excuse that Baba has a forbidden book. Baba was taken away, and no one in the

house was able to do anything. Parvana and her family are waiting for Baba, but they

realize that Baba will not come back. Baba did not carry his walking stick. The following

day, her mother decides to go to the prison to find Baba, and Parvana is asked to come

along because Soraya has grown up and is not allowed to leave the house at all. Meanwhile,

Soraya began to write a letter requesting a postponement of her father's arrest. With

Baba's photo, Parvana and her mother set off. On the way, Parvana and her mother were stopped

by a man. The man was angry that the two of them were at home without their husband or

brother accompanied. Her mother tried to explain that her husband had been arrested, and she

begged him to be released. But the man didn't care and instead tore up Baba's photo. The

incident made Parvana try hard to reach the fragments of the torn photo. The man then

took the stick and hit her mother many times. At that time, several men were watching, but

no one helped. At home, mother lay weak with all over her body full of bruises. Parvana

begins to reassemble the photo of her father until Soraya asks her to fetch water from

the well. Arriving at the well, Parvana saw a boy being chased by a group of men. Seeing

the men, Parvana immediately fled. At her house, Zaki whines for his mother, so Parvana

starts telling a story. It is said that at the foot of the Hindu Kush Mountain, there

lived a villager who was happy and loved to dance and sing. There was a boy who liked

to entertain. But their fun is gone when the monsters come and steal their seeds. The monster

carried the seeds to the top of the mountain, where there was a powerful elephant monster.

And the story ends. The next day, the little family knew that Baba would not come back.

Food at home is running out. So Parvana decided to go to the market to buy some food. But

because she was a girl, no one dared to sell anything to her. So even if she has money,

Parvana can't buy anything. At that time there was a group of Taliban men saw her and immediately

chased Parvana. Parvana ran away until her feet tripped and the bag containing her money

fell. Now the money is gone. The next day Parvana realized that she had to do something

to save her family. So using Soraya's scissors, she cut off all her hair. Now Parvana looked

like a boy. She also wore her older brother's clothes, whose name was Sulaiman. Parvana

goes to market. Even though she was scared, it seemed that no one would suspect her. The

sellers even sell goods to her in the market. Parvana then met the boy she had seen the

other day. The boy thought Parvana was following him and ambushed her. It turns out that the

boy is Shauzia, a girl who also disguises herself as a boy. Shauzia admits that now

her name is Deliwar. Parvana is happy that she can come home with food for her family.

Even now, she can take water in peace because no one forbids her anymore. When finished

eating, Zaki asked Parvana to continue the story about the elephant monster again, so

Parvana continued. It is said that when the seeds were stolen, the villagers were so sad.

Until the boy decides to look for the elephant monster and get the seeds for his village

back. Although all the villagers laughed at him, the boy did not flinch. The story was

pulled back to the city of Kabul. Parvana also intends to go to the prison and bring

Baba back. In the market, Parvana is reunited with Deliwar. Parvana changed her name to

Atis. The two have been good friends ever since. Deliwar then took Parvana to a Warehouse

where people made sweets. Now they can go wherever they want. Parvana then tells about

his father, who was kidnaped by the Taliban. Deliwar says Parvana needs a lot of money

if she wants to get her father out of jail. So Parvana returned to the streets and sold

stuff as before. Because she can read and write, Parvana offers letter reading services.

Razaq comes but does not know Parvana. He then asked Parvana to read a letter for him,

but it turned out to be a letter of mourning because Razaq's wife died. The next day, mother

wrote to her cousin asking for help. Parvana went to send a letter. Back again selling

in the market, an older man came and bid his clothes for 1000 afghani. With the money from

the sale, Parvana walked miles and miles to prison. But when she arrived at the prison,

she was expelled and beaten by the correctional officers. Parvana's hopes have been dashed

to save her father. That night Parvana continued her story about the elephant monster. The

boy in the story finally meets a grandmother. The granny said that she needed 3 items to

defeat the elephant monster. Something glittering, something entangling, and something soothing.

The story is drawn to the real world. Parvana and Deliwar then go looking for work. Both

worked as coolies for an old man. After being paid, the two of them were left in another

city, so they had to walk home. When passing through the desert filled with damaged tanks,

Parvana told about his older brother named Sulaiman. But her brother is dead. Back again

selling in the market, Razaq went to Parvana again to pay for her services in reading the

letter for him. Parvana claims as Baba's nephew. She then asks Razaq for help to get Baba out

of prison. Razaq, who was kind, then asked Parvana to go to prison on Wednesday. She

must meet his cousin, Roshan. Then Baba can be released from prison. Raqaz's words are

a new hope for Parvana. At home, Parvana continues her story to Zaki. It is said that the boy

met a grandmother who was milking milk. The boy helped her too. So the grandmother gave

him a gift, a magic mirror. The story was pulled back to the city of Kabul. Parvana

then works alongside Deliwar by hauling sand. But the work was so hard that they were exhausted.

Suddenly, Idris came and started scolding them. Idris is seen using his power to oppress

others. So when they were fighting, Idris began to suspect Parvana, who looked familiar.

Idris also knows, Parvana is a girl disguised as a boy. Carrying a weapon, Idris chases

Parvana and Deliwar. The two managed to hide in a ruined house at the foot of the hill.

Idris' body is unable to reach them. Idris was then called to join the war. Here we can

see the frightened face of Idris. Although pretentiously fierce, in fact he is just a

boy who is still afraid of war and death. Beneath the ruins, Parvana continues the story

of a boy who is about to subdue a monster elephant. It turned out that the boy's name

was Sulaiman, just like his older brother who died. It is said that he traveled until

he met a fat, greedy man. The man pushed Sulaiman down into a well filled with emeralds. Finally,

with the help of a horse, Sulaiman managed to get out of the well with 3 emeralds in

his hand. Sulaiman returned to the greedy fat man and gave him an emerald stone. Instead,

the fat man gave him a net. But it turns out that the emerald stone has been cursed so

that the fat man is haunted. The story back to Parvana. Night fell, and Parvana returned

home. Her mother asked Parvana not to leave the house anymore because her cousin would

come to pick them up and take them away from the city the day after tomorrow. Soraya will

be married even though Soraya does not want to. Wednesday arrived. Parvana was about to

go to prison with her father's stick. Even though her mother had warned her that it was

dangerous because the war was about to start. When she finds out that Parvana will leave

Kabul City, Deliwar is sad. But in the end, she gave all her money to Parvana to save

her father. The two said goodbye. In their tiny house, a man named Muhammed Abdul came.

It turns out he's mother's cousin. But Muhammad Abdul came sooner than he should have. He

also forced mother to go to the city of Mazar right then and there. But mother refused because

Parvana had not come home, but Muhammed Abdul forced her by kidnap Zaki. They were forced

to get into the car and leave the city of Kabul. Parvana arrives at the prison and tries

to find Roshan. But a man appears and starts beating her until Razaq comes and helps her.

Finally, Parvana confesses to Razaq that she is actually a girl. Razaq is very touched

and agrees to help Parvana. Razaq asks Parvana to wait. If the sun has set and he has not

returned, then Parvana must flee as far as possible. It means Baba will not survive.

Razaq then went inside the jail. Meanwhile, the car carrying mother, Soraya, and Zaki

broke down in the middle of the desert. Finally, the car was able to run again, but mother

was adamant that she would disobey her cousin. They want to go home and seek Parvana. Back

then, a woman had no right to talk to a man like that. But her mother had run out of patience.

She fought back by taking a burning log. But his cousin continued to bully even took out

a knife. That's when mother gripped the knife tightly. Finally, his cousin left. Meanwhile,

in prison, the war has started. The Rockets were flying and look so terrible. Parvana

was frightened and began to continue the story about Sulaiman. It is said that Sulaiman used

mirror and net found along his way to paralyze wild animals. Finally, Sulaiman had to fight

the elephant monster. He had no weapons anymore, except for his power of storytelling. Then

Sulaiman began to tell the story, if his name is Sulaiman, his mother is a writer, and his

father is a teacher. He has two sisters and a younger brother. One day, he found an object

on the street and thought it was a toy. It turns out it was a bomb. The bomb that took

his life. This is where we realize that Sulaiman's character is Parvana's older brother, who

had died. Because of the bomb dropped on the city of Kabul, many innocent children have

to die. Then through the story, the elephant monster was successfully tamed. Back to Parvana,

who started to get restless because the sun was setting while Razaq had not yet returned.

Finally, the prison door opens, and Razaq appears while holding Baba. She was so relieved

to see Baba again. By pushing him on a cart, Parvana struggled to bring her father back

home. Parvana and her father looked at the moon in the middle of the road, which was

shining brightly. Her father was so relieved to see his daughter again. Meanwhile, mother,

Soraya, and Zaki were still in the middle of the desert about to go home. And at that

moment, they looked up at the same sky. The sky is dotted with the moon shining brightly.

The family will return to the whole as before.