The Glassworker
{{Short description|2024 Pakistani hand-drawn animated film}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{infobox film
| name = The Glassworker
| native_name =
| image = The Glassworker Official Poster 2024.png
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Usman Riaz
| producer = Khizer Riaz
Manuel Cristóbal
| starring = see below
| writer =
| screenplay = Moya O’Shea
| story = Usman Riaz
Moya O'Shea
| cinematography = Usman Riaz
| editing = Jose Manuel Jimenez
| music = Usman Riaz
Carmine Diflorio
| animator =
| background_artist =
| studio = Mano Animation Studios
| distributor = {{ubl|Geo Films|Mandviwalla Entertainment}}
| released = {{film date|df=y|2024|6|10|Annecy|2024|7|26|Pakistan}}
| runtime = 98 minutes
| country = Pakistan
| language = Urdu
| budget =
}}
The Glassworker ({{langx|ur|{{nq|شیشہ گر}}|translit=Sheesha Gar}}) is a 2024 Pakistani animated anti-war romantic drama film produced by Mano Animation Studios. The film is directed by Usman Riaz (in his directorial debut) with a screenplay by Moya O'Shea from a story by O'Shea and Riaz. The film is produced by Khizer Riaz and Manuel Cristóbal.{{cite news |title=Pride of Pakistan: 'The Glassworker' Filmmakers Usman and Khizer Riaz Discuss Their Groundbreaking Production |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/06/pride-of-pakistan-the-glassworker-filmmakers-usman-and-khizer-riaz-discuss-their-groundbreaking-production/ |access-date=11 June 2024 |work=www.animationmagazine.net |archive-date=11 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611093547/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/06/pride-of-pakistan-the-glassworker-filmmakers-usman-and-khizer-riaz-discuss-their-groundbreaking-production/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Shackleton |first1=Liz |title='Delhi Crime' Producer Apoorva Bakshi Boards Pakistan's First Miyazaki-Style Animated Feature, 'The Glassworker' |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/delhi-crime-apoorva-bakshi-pakistan-miyazaki-the-glassworker-1235374444/ |access-date=11 June 2024 |work=Deadline |date=21 May 2023 |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805073705/https://deadline.com/2023/05/delhi-crime-apoorva-bakshi-pakistan-miyazaki-the-glassworker-1235374444/ |url-status=live }} Featuring anime-influenced animation, it is Pakistan's first hand-drawn animated feature film.{{cite web|author1=Imaan Sheikh|title=This Is "The Glassworker", Pakistan's First Fully Hand-Drawn Animated Film|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/imaansheikh/the-glassworker#.al9aJobwn|website=Buzz Feed|access-date=4 April 2016|date=5 February 2016|archive-date=8 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208010654/https://www.buzzfeed.com/imaansheikh/the-glassworker#.al9aJobwn|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Ansari |first1=Hasan |date=27 January 2016 |title=Usman Riaz's 'The Glassworker': Pakistan's first animated film |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1035170/usman-riazs-the-glassworker-pakistans-first-hand-drawn-animated-film/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607233906/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1035170/usman-riazs-the-glassworker-pakistans-first-hand-drawn-animated-film/ |archive-date=7 June 2020 |access-date=4 April 2016 |website=The Express Tribune}}
The film premiered at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on 10 June and was released in theatres in Pakistan on 26 July 2024.{{cite news |title=Mano Animation Makes History with 'The Glassworker,' Pakistan's First 2D Feature |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mano-animation-makes-history-glassworker-pakistans-first-2d-feature |access-date=8 June 2024 |work=Animation World Network |language=en |archive-date=8 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608000629/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mano-animation-makes-history-glassworker-pakistans-first-2d-feature |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/annecy-the-glassworker-trailer-1235983110/|title=Annecy Selection 'The Glassworker' Unveils First Trailer, Sets Cannes Market, Pakistan Release Dates (EXCLUSIVE)|date=26 April 2024 |publisher=Variety|access-date=26 April 2024|archive-date=26 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426104713/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/annecy-the-glassworker-trailer-1235983110/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/international-feature-oscar-submissions-1236103822/|title=International Oscar Race: Pakistan Selects Hand-Drawn Animation 'The Glassworker'|publisher=Variety}}
Plot
Vincent Oliver, the son of master glassworker Tomas Oliver, lives in the seaside town of Waterfront, renowned for its fertile soil and silicon-rich sand. The town becomes a battleground between two nations. Djinns, fire spirits, play a significant role in the story.
As an adult, Vincent prepares for his first glasswork exhibition and finds a letter from his childhood friend, Alliz Amano, who he loved. The letter recounts their past: Vincent, home-schooled and trained in glassworking by his pacifist father, meets Alliz, the daughter of Colonel Amano. Alliz aspires to be a violinist, and despite Tomas’s disapproval, Vincent and Alliz grow close.
War breaks out, and locals, including Vincent’s rival Malik, join the military. Tomas is coerced into making advanced glass rectifiers for the military. As the war escalates, Malik confesses his love for Alliz, creating tension between her and Vincent. During a bombing raid, Vincent and Alliz argue, leading to their estrangement.
Alliz’s father goes missing in action, prompting her to find solace in music and write her own piece. She invites Vincent to her performance, but he is barred entry and watches from the roof. Seeing soldiers approach the college, Vincent leaves to confront them. Inside, Malik returns with the injured Colonel Amano, earning Alliz’s gratitude and a kiss, which Vincent witnesses.
Devastated, Vincent sabotages the rectifiers to stop the war but regrets it. During a bombing raid, Vincent’s actions inadvertently cause Tomas to lose his arm. Alliz and her family’s fate remains unknown as they are caught in a bombing while departing by train.
In the present, Vincent finishes reading Alliz’s letter, where she professes her love for him. At his glass exhibition, Vincent is distracted by a blue flame, a recurring motif. Back at the workshop, he attempts to burn the letter, but blue flames transform it into a vision of Alliz. The film ends with Vincent and Alliz reunited on the beach, their hands joined by a blue flame.
Cast
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!rowspan=2| Character !colspan=2| Voice actor |
| Urdu
! English |
|---|
| scope="row"| Tomas Oliver
| Khaled Anam || Art Malik |
| scope="row"| Vincent Oliver
| Mooroo || Sacha Dhawan |
| scope="row"| Alliz Amano
| Mariam Riaz Paracha || Anjli Mohindra |
| scope="row"| Colonel Amano
| Ameed Riaz || Tony Jayawardena |
| scope="row"| Young Vincent
| Mahum Moazzam || Teresa Gallagher |
| scope="row"| Nadia Amano
| Faiza Kazi || Mina Anwar |
| scope="row"| Malik Khan
| Dino Ali || Sham Ali |
| scope="row"| Penni
| Aysha Sheikh || Maya Saroya |
| scope="row"| Principal Bhatti
| Usman Riaz || Nila Aalia |
| scope="row"| Professor Ansari
| Khalifa Sajeeruddin || Alex Jordan |
| scope="row"| Mrs. Popolzai
| Aysha Sheikh || Bex Wood |
Production
The Glassworker was directed by Usman Riaz, in his directorial debut, and produced by Mano Animation Studios Geoffrey Wexler, who worked for Studio Ghibli, aided the film's production. It was edited by José Manuel Jiménez and its score composed by Carmine Di Florio.{{sfn|Adlakha|2024}}
The Glassworker{{'}}s art style was based on Dutch Renaissance artwork.{{sfn|Adlakha|2024}}
Release
The film premiered worldwide at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on 10 June 2024{{Cite web|url=https://programme.annecyfestival.com/en/program/event/100001505096|title=Feature Film in Competition – Contrechamp 2: The Glassworker|date=8 June 2024|website=Annecy International Animation Film Festival|access-date=10 June 2024|archive-date=5 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605161050/https://programme.annecyfestival.com/en/program/event/100001505096|url-status=live}} and then was released in Pakistan theaters on 26 July 2024, distributed by Geo Films and Mandviwalla Entertainment.{{cite news|title=Geo Films partners with Mano Animation Studios for animated movie 'The Glassworker'|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/540782-geo-films-partners-with-mano-animation-studios-for-animated-movie-the-glassworker|access-date=1 May 2024|work=www.geo.tv|date=24 April 2024|language=en|archive-date=1 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501115045/https://www.geo.tv/latest/540782-geo-films-partners-with-mano-animation-studios-for-animated-movie-the-glassworker|url-status=live}} It also screened at the Hiroshima Animation Season 2024 on 17 August 2024 and competed in Feature Competition.{{Cite web|url=https://animation.hiroshimafest.org/en/program_individual/pr008.php|title=Feature Competition: The Glassworker【Guest: Usman Riaz】|date=17 August 2024|website=Hiroshima Animation Festival|access-date=17 August 2024|archive-date=30 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830050949/https://animation.hiroshimafest.org/en/program_individual/pr008.php|url-status=live}} The film premiered in Canada at the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival.{{cite web |last1=Mubarak |first1=Shumaila |title=‘The Glassworker’: A love letter to Pakistan’s creative talent |url=https://canculturemag.com/film/the-glassworker-a-love-letter-to-pakistans-creative-talent/ |website=CanCulture Magazine |access-date=28 January 2025}} Watermelon Pictures will distribute the film in the United States.{{sfn|Goodfellow|2025}}
Reception
The Glassworker earned {{PKR}}10 million in its opening weekend in Pakistan.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-30 |title='The Glassworker' makes successful opening weekend, rakes in Rs10m |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1214785-the-glassworker-makes-successful-opening-weekend-rakes-in-rs10m |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=The News International |language=en |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804093720/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1214785-the-glassworker-makes-successful-opening-weekend-rakes-in-rs10m |url-status=live }}
Mohammad Kamran Jawaid of Dawn praised the animation, story, and film's anti-war message.{{Cite web |last=Kamran Jawaid |first=Mohammad |date=2024-08-04 |title=THE ICON REVIEW: FRAGILE, HANDLE WITH CARE |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1849811 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805105837/https://www.dawn.com/news/1849811 |url-status=live }} He further wrote, "Usman Riaz’s The Glassworker is a visually stunning but thematically heavy film about love and relationships that chooses reality over fantasy." Alizee Ali Khan, of Aaj News praised the film, stating that “the story is about the lives of two characters, Vincent Oliver and Alliz Amano, who are inextricably linked to each other while the whirlwind of an approaching war engulfs them. ‘The Glassworker’ treats the subjects of life and love delicately without losing their depth, with magnificent imagery and a well-written story.”{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Alizee Ali |date=2024-07-30 |title='The Glassworker' review: where love shines through shadows of war |url=https://english.aaj.tv/news/330372198 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Aaj English TV |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805110251/https://english.aaj.tv/news/330372198 |url-status=live }}
Ricardo Gallegos of La Estatuilla wrote, "Overall, the animation delivers what it promises, but at the character level it is not always completely polished, as there is no fluidity and definition in certain movements. These imperfections also appear in the dubbing department, as some cast members are too monotonous in their performance and therefore fail to convey the emotion of their characters, especially during key scenes."{{cite web |url=https://laestatuilla.com/criticas/critica-the-glassworker-pakistan/ |title=Crítica: "The Glassworker", un relato de arte, amor imposible y guerra (Annecy 2024) |trans-title=Review: “The Glassworker,” a tale of art, impossible love and war (Annecy 2024) |language=es |last=Gallegos |first=Ricardo |date=10 June 2024 |website=La Estatuilla |access-date=15 August 2024 |archive-date=25 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925090613/https://laestatuilla.com/criticas/critica-the-glassworker-pakistan/ |url-status=live }}
= Accolades =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Ceremony date ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Recipient(s) ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" | Ref. |
| scope="row" | Annecy International Animation Film Festival
| Contrechamp Grand Prix | rowspan="2"| The Glassworker | {{nom}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| Sitges Film Festival
| Best Animated Feature Film | {{nom}} |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
Works cited
- {{Cite news |last=Adlakha |first=Siddhant |date=27 November 2024 |title=‘The Glassworker’ Review: Pakistan’s First Hand-Drawn Feature Feels Like an Homage to Miyazaki |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/the-glassworker-review-1236225143/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216192647/https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/the-glassworker-review-1236225143/ |archive-date=16 December 2024}}
- {{Cite news |last=Goodfellow |first=Melanie |date=15 May 2025 |title=Watermelon Pictures Acquires U.S. Rights For Pakistani Animation ‘The Glassworker’ |work=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/watermelon-pictures-us-pakistani-animation-the-glassworker-1236399099/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518013650/https://deadline.com/2025/05/watermelon-pictures-us-pakistani-animation-the-glassworker-1236399099/ |archive-date=18 May 2025}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|tt5986440}}
{{Pakistani submission for Academy Awards}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Glassworker, The}}
Category:Pakistani animated films
Category:2024 romantic drama films
Category:Pakistani romantic drama films
Category:2020s Urdu-language films
Category:Anime-influenced animation
Category:Urdu-language Pakistani films