The Breadwinner (2017)

Based on a children's novel by Deborah Ellis, The Breadwinner is the story of a young girl living in Taliban-run Kabul who disguises herself as a boy so that she can support her family after her father is imprisoned.

The team who have adapted this into an animated movie are responsible for The Secret of the Kells, a film more suitable for a younger audience than The Breadwinner, which was rightly given a 12A certificate (PG-13 in the USA).

It's not a violent film (although there is violence - mostly off camera), but it's subject matter is quite intense dealing with themes of fanaticism, child marriages, abuse of women, death of children.

However, along with its heavy subject matter, it also carries a lightness of spirit amid the oppression. It's a story that understands the need or different shades in the telling, so it isn't the relentless grind that it could have been.

There are parallels to the story of Malala Yousafzaim, as it deals with an educated, literate girl in a world where men forbid women from reading, although there the similarity ends as this is a smaller tale and the lead character's actions are more personal, inspiring in the small struggles, but under a more overtly repressive regime.

It is also at times a beautiful film, particularly with its landscape shots of Kabul, which would be beautiful pieces of art in their own right.

Ultimately it's the type of film that deserves to be supported. It's well crafted, tells an essential story, and there need to be more of its kind in the world.