The Glassworker (Urdu: شیشہ گر, romanized: Sheesha Gar) is a 2024 Pakistani animated anti-warromanticdrama 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.[2][3] Featuring anime-influenced animation, it is Pakistan's first hand-drawn animated feature film.[4][5]
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.
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.[9]
The film premiered worldwide at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on 10 June 2024[10] and then was released in Pakistan theaters on 26 July 2024, distributed by Geo Films and Mandviwalla Entertainment.[11] It also screened at the Hiroshima Animation Season 2024 on 17 August 2024 and competed in Feature Competition.[12]
Reception
The Glassworker earned Rs. 10 million in its opening weekend in Pakistan.[13]
Mohammad Kamran Jawaid of Dawn praised the animation, story, and film's anti-war message.[14] 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.”[15]
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."[16]
