The Glassworker (2024)

 

The majority of animation comes from a relatively small number of countries. The United States, Japan, the UK, Ireland, France- all the usual suspects. But increasingly more and more parts of the world are getting their own fledgling animation industries. Pakistan has produced a handful of animated movies over the past few years but The Glassworker stands out. It's the first traditional hand-drawn feature to be produced in the country. Director Uzman Riaz even had to found a studio and train his staff in how to produce an animated film.

Taking some 10 years to make, and partly funded by crowdfunding, The Glassworker was initially released in Pakistan in 2024. It made 10 million Rupees at the local box-office, and was submitted as Pakistan's Best International Feature Film entry for the 2025 Oscars.

It is directed by Usman Riaz and written by Moya O'Shea based on an original story by Riaz. Producers include Aamir Baig, Apoorva Bakshi, and Manuel Cristobal, while Art Malik is an executive producer. Geoffrey Wexler, an alumni of Studio Ghibli, oversaw production. Music is by Carmine Di Florio, with additional music by the director. Animation production was by Mano Animation Studios.

The English dub version is cast appropriately, by casting almost exclusively British-Asian actors. It features the voices of Sacha Dhawan, Art Malik, Aniji Mohindra, Tony Jayawardena, Mina Anwar, Sham Ali, Maya Saroya, Alex Jordan and Bex Wood.

In a fictional town on the coast, young Vincent and his father Tomas run the finest glass workshop in the country. But their peaceful existence is disrupted by the shadow of an oncoming war. The arrival in town of an army colonel and his talented violinist daughter Alliz threatens to create a rift between father and son. As the love between Vincent and Alliz grows, so does the tension between their respective fathers.

The setting of Water Front Town is richly drawn and engrossing. It's said to be loosely based on Pakistan, but for much of the time you'd be hard pressed to tell. There are only a few subtle cultural touches- and some very Islamic architecture, to give it away.

The characters are compelling and surprisingly deep. Particularly in the case of Vincent and Tomas, characters are given interesting back stories and likeable personalities. Even the colonel, set up as something of an antagonist, is sympathetic and his motivations understandable.

The film has very light supernatural elements. Featuring djin, Islamic spirits that are probably where the concept of the genie comes from, they actually play very little part in the film. In fact, they seem to only be there to facilitate the film's very abrupt ending.

It's not possible to talk about The Glassworker, or discuss the film's animation, without mentioning Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. To say that the film is heavily influenced by the beloved Japanese studio is putting it mildly. From familiar character designs and lushly painted backgrounds, to airships and lovingly animated food, the film 'borrows' liberally from Ghibli for its entire running time. It starts from before the title card, when a distinctly Jo Hishashi-esque tune plays

And it's not just skin deep. The film's anti-war sentiment- presumably influenced by his home country's conflicts with India over Kashmir- is something that surely Miyazaki would approve of. Other elements are also distinctly Ghibli-influenced, such as an understated approach to romance and supernatural touches.

Is The Glassworker as good as a Ghibli film? Well, no but then what is? It's a high bar to clear and there's no shame in coming second. It's a beautifully animated film with a really captivating story. Combining the Ghibli style with distinctly Pakistani elements does make for something unique, too.

This film really does mark out Usman Riaz as a talent to watch. The fact that this is his debut film is only all the more remarkable. It would be interesting to see what he can do if he stepped away from the Miyazaki influence and found a style of his own. But this remains one heck of a calling card for him and Mano Animation Studios.

The Glassworker is a love letter to Studio Ghibli, and is an utter delight. Beautifully animated and endlessly compelling, it comes highly recommended. 

The Glassworker is in UK and Irish cinemas from September 19 via Dazzler Media and is in US cinemas now via Watermelon Pictures.

 FORMAT: MOVIE AVAILABLE ON: CINEMA RELEASE FROM: WATERMELON PICTURES [US] DAZZLER MEDIA [UK & IRE] RATING: PG RUNNING TIME : 1 Hr 40mins

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IN A NUTSHELL:

  Strong characters and a captivating story ensure this is much more than a knock-off Ghibli.

★★★★☆