Introduction

The Glassworker (Urdu: شیشہ گر, romanised: 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.

Outline

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

Character: voice actor (Urdu), voice actor (English).

• Tomas Oliver: Khaled Anam, Art Malik
• Vincent Oliver: Mooroo, Sacha Dhawan
• Alliz Amano: Mariam Riaz Paracha, Anjli Mohindra
• Colonel Amano: Ameed Riaz, Tony Jayawardena
• Young Vincent: Mahum Moazzam, Teresa Gallagher
• Nadia Amano: Faiza Kazi, Mina Anwar
• Malik Khan: Dino Ali, Sham Ali
• Penni: Aysha Sheikh, Maya Saroya
• Principal Bhatti: Usman Riaz, Nila Aalia
• Professor Ansari: Khalifa Sajeeruddin, Alex Jordan
• 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.

The Glassworker’s art style was based on Dutch Renaissance artwork.

Release

The film premiered worldwide at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on 10 June 2024 and then was released in Pakistan theaters on 26 July 2024, distributed by Geo Films and Mandviwalla Entertainment. It also screened at the Hiroshima Animation Season 2024 on 17 August 2024 and competed in Feature Competition. The film premiered in Canada at the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival.

Box Office

The Glassworker earned Rs. 10 million in its opening weekend in Pakistan.

Trivia

• Featuring anime-influenced animation, it is Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated feature film.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Usman Riaz
• Producer(s):
  • Aamir Baig … executive producer
  • Apoorva Bakshi … executive producer
  • Manuel Cristóbal … producer
  • Azhar Hameed … executive producer
  • Art Malik … executive producer
  • Mariam Riaz Paracha … associate producer
  • Ameed Riaz … executive producer
  • Khizer Riaz … producer
• Writer(s):
  • Usman Riaz … (original story by)
  • Usman Riaz … (story by)
  • Moya O’Shea … (story by)
  • Moya O’Shea … (screenplay by)
• Music:
  • Carmine Di Florio … (music by)
  • Usman Riaz
• Cinematography:
  • Usman Riaz … (Cinematographer)
• Editor(s):
  • José Manuel Jiménez … (edited by) / film editor
• Production:
  • Mano Animation Studios (presents)
• Distributor(s):
  • JL Vision Film (China, 2024)
  • A Contracorriente Films (Spain, 2024)(theatrical)
  • Geo Films (Pakistan, 2024)(theatrical)
  • Mandviwalla Entertainment (Pakistan, 2024)(theatrical)
  • Russian Report (Russia, 2025)(theatrical)
  • Svoe Kino (Ukraine, 2024)(theatrical)
• Release Date: 10 June 2024 (Annecy International Animation Film Festival, France).
• Running Time: 98 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: Pakistan.
• Language: Urdu and English.

Video Link(s)