| The Glassworker | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Usman Riaz |
| Screenplay by | Moya O’Shea |
| Story by | Usman Riaz Moya O'Shea |
| Produced by | Khizer Riaz Manuel Cristóbal |
| Starring | see below |
| Cinematography | Usman Riaz |
| Edited by | Jose Manuel Jimenez |
| Music by | Usman Riaz Carmine Diflorio |
Production company | Mano Animation Studios |
| Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 99 minutes[1] |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Language | Urdu |
| Box office | Rs. 30 million[2] |
The Glassworker (Urdu:شیشہ گر,romanized: Sheesha Gar) is a 2024 Pakistani animatedanti-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.[3][4] Featuringanime-influenced animation, it is Pakistan's firsthand-drawn animated feature film.[5][6]
The film premiered at the2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on 10 June and was released in theatres in Pakistan on 26 July 2024.[7][8][9]
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 firstglasswork exhibition and finds a letter from his childhood friend, Alliz Amano, whom he always 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 tolose his arm. Alliz and her family members are killed as they get 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.
| Character | Voice Actor(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Urdu | English | |
| Tomas Oliver | Khaled Anam | Art Malik |
| Vincent Oliver | Mooroo Mahum MoazzamY | Sacha Dhawan Teresa GallagherY |
| Alliz Amano | Mariam Riaz Paracha | Anjli Mohindra |
| Colonel Amano | Ameed Riaz | Tony Jayawardena |
| 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 |
The Glassworker was directed by Usman Riaz, in his directorial debut, and produced by Mano Animation Studios. Geoffrey Wexler, who worked forStudio Ghibli, aided the film's production. It was edited by José Manuel Jiménez and its score composed by Carmine Di Florio.[10]
The film premiered worldwide at the2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on 10 June 2024[11] and was released in Pakistani theaters on 26 July 2024, distributed byGeo Films and Mandviwalla Entertainment.[12] It also screened at the Hiroshima Animation Season 2024 on 17 August 2024 and competed in Feature Competition.[13] The film premiered in Canada at theToronto Reel Asian Film Festival.[14]Watermelon Pictures will distribute the film in the United States.[15] The film premiered in the United States in theaters on August 15, 2025.[16]
The Glassworker earnedRs. 10 million in its opening weekend in Pakistan.[17]
On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, 88% of 24 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.7/10.[18]
Mohammad Kamran Jawaid ofDawn praised the animation, story, and the film's anti-war message.[19] 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, ofAaj 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.”[20]
Ricardo Gallegos ofLa 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."[21]
| Award | Ceremony date | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annecy International Animation Film Festival | 15 June 2024 | Contrechamp Grand Prix | The Glassworker | Nominated | [22] |
| Sitges Film Festival | 13 October 2024 | Best Animated Feature Film | Nominated | [23] |