Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: August 27, 2024 | 
| 中文
Alliz and Vincent at the Beach
Local feature films rarely get recognized at international festivals, and producing of films is not a major focus in many educational institutions. In a country where film is rarely seen as an art form and where 'art' movies are uncommon, the release of The Glass Worker, Pakistan's first 2D hand-drawn animated film, is truly a remarkable achievement.
The Glass Worker is a result of the vision and dedication of a group of young artists from Karachi. Directed by Usman Riaz, screenplay written by Moya O'Shea, and produced by Khizer Riaz and Manuel Cristóbal, The Glass Worker is a collective effort fueled by passion and creativity. The film pushes the limits of what can be achieved in Pakistan's growing animation industry. With no guidance, Usman Riaz has set out to do the impossible: establish an animation studio. He was joined by his cousin Khizer Riaz and close friend Mariam Paracha, and their love for Japanese-style animation films led to the creation of Mano Productions.
Oliver Glass Shop
The movie tells the story of Vincent and Alliz, two young people whose lives cross paths in a small, peaceful waterfront town. Vincent, the son of a skilled glass worker, works as an apprentice in his father's shop and understands how fragile life can be just like the delicate glass he works with. His father, Tomas, is a loving figure who not only teaches Vincent the art of glassmaking but also shares wisdom about peace and the importance of being against war. Tomas is one of the few people in the city who are against war, and wants to keep his son away from it. Enters Alliz, the daughter of Colonel Amano, a military officer sent to the town to look after the preparation for the war. Despite her father's role in the conflict, Alliz finds her true passion in music and becomes an emerging violinist who finds comfort in her art, and then she meets Vincent. As Vincent and Alliz's relationship deepens, their bond grows in the shadow of a looming war. One could see a lot of ‘Pakistan’ in the film, with the dress, marketplace, buildings and of course, the beach. Usman Riaz admits that the waterfront town resembles Karachi a great deal, and the looming threat of a war was something the Team Mano grew under during their early years.
Young Vincent and Alliz
The story moves back and forth in time, keeping the audience engaged, while the animators skillfully show the changes in the characters over time. We see Vincent and Alliz in different ages, and their growth is depicted beautifully.
Usman Riaz's inspiration for The Glass Worker came from Japan's famous Studio Ghibli. When Usman reached out to Studio Ghibli's creatives for advice, he expressed his frustration over the lack of facilities in Pakistan for creating such animations. Instead, they encouraged him to build his own studio. Motivated by this advice and his lifelong fascination with Japanese cartoons, their vibrant colors and expressive hand-drawn faces. Usman embarked on a journey to establish his own animation studio in Pakistan and founded Mano Animation Studios. His determination and passion laid the groundwork for what has become a historic achievement in Pakistan's film industry.
Young Vincent Playing with Train
The film features an English-language cast including talented actors such as Art Malik, Sacha Dhawan, Anjli Mohindra, and Tony Jayawardena, who have been part of various international projects. The producers are also not from Pakistan while for composing the music, Usman opted for the masters.
At a time when Pakistan is often associated with negative news and terror attacks, The Glass Worker is a positive offering with a different narrative. Through his film, Usman presented a side of Pakistan where people are naturally against war, but often have to deal with the harsh realities of survival. His work not only highlights the country's artistic potential but also provides a touching reflection on the human cost of conflict.
The Store Room
The film premiered at the 2024 Annecy Film Festival on 10 June 2024, after being screened at Cannes in May. The animation style and the anti-war message from Pakistan was appreciated and the team was all over the news. Usman Riaz (director), Mariam Paracha (art director), and Khizer Riaz (producer) not only made history for Mano Animation Studios, but also inspired a new generation, showing that Pakistan has a future in filmmaking.
Alliz on the Train
The Glass Worker represents a significant breakthrough in an industry that has struggled to gain momentum. It is a bold step forward in an underappreciated industry, proving that artistic vision and dedication can pave the way, even in the most challenging environments. The success of The Glass Worker under Mano Productions' banner highlights the studio's commitment to nurturing animation talent in Pakistan, and contributing to the global animation landscape.
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