The Glassworker
The Glassworker (Urdu: شیشہ گر) is an upcoming Pakistani Urdu-language animated film directed by Usman Riaz.[1] It is Pakistan's first hand-drawn anime-influenced animated film and the fifth animated film produced in Pakistan.[2] The Kickstarter campaign to produce a pilot animation for the film was launched in February 2016.[3] The pilot was completed in 2018, and full-scale production of the film officially began in January 2019. The film is currently in production and is being produced by Mano Animation Studios located in Karachi.[4][5]
| The Glassworker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Usman Riaz |
| Written by | Usman Riaz |
| Screenplay by | Moya O’Shea |
| Story by | Usman Riaz |
| Produced by | Manuel Cristóbal Khizer Riaz |
| Starring | Sacha Dhawan Anjli Mohindra Art Malik |
| Edited by | Jose Manuel Jimenez |
| Music by | Usman Riaz Carmine Diflorio |
| Animation by | Aamir Riffat (Animation Director) Sofia Abdullah (Character Designer) |
| Backgrounds by | Mariam Paracha (Art Director) |
Production company | Mano Animation Studios |
Release date | 2023 (International) |
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Languages | English Urdu |
The Glassworker is set to be released in 2023 (International) as described on the one pager of Mano Animation Studios on their website.
Plot
The Glassworker is a fictional story about young Vincent and his father Tomas, who run the finest glass workshop in the country and find their lives upended by an impending war in which they want no part.
The arrival in their town of an army colonel and his young, talented violinist daughter, Alliz, shakes their reality and tests the relationship between father and son.
The love that develops between Vincent and Alliz is constantly challenged constantly by the differing views of their fathers. It is a time when patriotism and social standing are considered more important than free thought and artistic pursuits. It is a time when love is not relevant.
Set in a location loosely inspired by Pakistan, The Glassworker is a hand-drawn animated feature film directed by Usman Riaz and created by Mano Animation Studios.
Voice cast
English version voice actors:
- Sacha Dhawan as Vincent Oliver
- Anjli Mohindra as Alliz Amano
- Art Malik as Tomas Oliver
Urdu version voice actors:
- Mariam Riaz Paracha as Vincent Oliver
- Arsal Hasan as General Murano
- Aysha S. Zeeshan as Mrs. Murano
Production
Development
Usman Riaz crowd sourced funding and raised $116,000 via a Kickstarter campaign.[6]
Mano Animation Studios
Mano Animation Studios is Pakistan's first hand-drawn animation studio.
Co-Founded by Usman Riaz, the studio, based in Pakistan, employs a select group of talented artists and creatives working to produce their first feature film, The Glassworker.
The Mano team has built a collaboration network that extends to Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Peru, Argentina, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Inspiration
Many buildings in the movie are inspired by the colonial buildings of the city of Karachi. While in The town of Waterfront, The bazaar is inspired by the Empress Market located in Karachi. The clothing of the Men in the movie shares a lot of similarities with the clothing worn by the men in the Pakistani provinces of KPK and Gilgit Baltistan while the women's clothing is inspired by the national dress of Pakistan, Shalwar kameez. The style of the film is totally inspired by Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli. [7][8]
References
- Ansari, Hasan (27 January 2016). "Usman Riaz's 'The Glassworker': Pakistan's first hand-drawn animated film". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- Imaan Sheikh (5 February 2016). "This Is "The Glassworker", Pakistan's First Fully Hand-Drawn Animated Film". Buzz Feed. Archived from the original on 8 February 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- "Usman Riaz releases the teaser of 'The Glassworker'". Hip in Pakistan. 6 February 2016. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- "Trailer for Pakistan's first hand-drawn anime film The Glassworker will leave you in awe". Express Tribune. 26 October 2016. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- "The Glassworker is Pakistan's First Hand Drawn Animation". Desi Blitz. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- Rehman, Maliha (29 January 2017). "Pakistan's Studio Ghibli". Dawn newspaper. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
"We started off very small and managed to gain momentum when we raised 116,000 dollars via a Kickstarter campaign," explains Usman.
- "Pakistan's first ghibli-style film 'The Glassworker' joined by 'Delhi Crime' producer". www.geo.tv. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- Shackleton, Liz (21 May 2023). "'Delhi Crime' Producer Apoorva Bakshi Boards Pakistan's First Miyazaki-Style Animated Feature, 'The Glassworker'". Deadline. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.