Cartoon Saloon's 'The Breadwinner' Signs Angelina Jolie Pitt as Producer.

The massive critical success of Song Of The Sea (which included a veritable horde of award nominations and several wins) ensured that whatever Cartoon Saloon worked on next would generate a lot of interest. Next up from the Kilkenny, Ireland-based studio is The Breadwinner, the Afghanistan-set tale of a young girl named Parvana who must disguise herself as a boy to support her family. Coming from Nora Twomey, the co-director of Oscar-nominated Secret Of Kells, it's very keenly anticipated around here.

It's also been attracting some rather more high-profile interest too, as a Hollywood A-lister has signed on as an executive producer. Angelina Jolie Pitt has of late been building up her career behind the camera- most notably as a director. It's a pretty big deal then, that she has chosen The Breadwinner as a project she wants to be involved with.


Perhaps more significantly though, Jolie has also long been involved with campaigning for global issues particularly in areas that effect women and girls. Her signing on can be seen as something of a stamp of approval.

Jolie said of her involvement-  “millions of young girls like Parvana are growing up today under oppression or conflict, and helping their families to survive in those conditions. This story is a reminder of the immense value of their contribution. 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."

From an animation fan's perspective Jolie's involvement will only help the film reach a wider audience, and may attract people who might not have otherwise seen it.

The Breadwinner is currently in pre-production and is expected to be completed in 2017.

 

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