Mano Animation Studios released the trailer for most anticipated movie of this year – specially for the Pakistan – The Glassworker.
It is directed by Usman Riaz, who also worked on The Waves short film and might I add, he’s also a musician. The movie will hit theaters in Pakistan on July 26. There’s no word on when it will come out internationally yet. But it will be shown at the Cannes Film Market in May and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June.
So, what’s the hype?
It’s the first hand-drawn animated film from Pakistan. The Glassworker could really be a game changer for the Pakistani film industry worldwide. If it leaves a mark at film festivals this year, there’s a chance it could snag a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars next year.
Even though, Pakistani film industry is thriving worldwide with the likes of Joyland and The Legend of Maula Jatt, the amination hasn’t had its breakthrough yet. The domestic market for animation in Pakistan is currently limited. Local channels haven’t traditionally offered a strong platform for showcasing original animation, and audiences may be more accustomed to consuming foreign content.
While films like The Donkey King and 3 Bahadur offered local stories and heroes, they arrived at a time when audiences were exposed to high-quality Hollywood animation. The animation style of 3 Bahadur‘s later installments were less visually impressive compared to something like Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse. The movie excelled in its initial run, its humor and storytelling quite not have resonated as strongly with viewers as the franchise progressed.
This makes it difficult for studios to recoup their investment and limits the financial resources available for further development. Additionally, attracting foreign investment for Pakistani animation projects is challenging due to a lack of established industry infrastructure and proven track records.
All Eyes on The GlassWorker
Precisely, why all eyes are on Riaz’s anime inspired movie. The hand-drawn animated feature film, the first of its kind in Pakistan, is already turning heads. Not only is it a visually stunning achievement but the story’s themes of war, family, and the power of art resonate universally. It has a potential to not only captivate audiences worldwide but also to inspire a new generation of Pakistani animators.
The movie is about a father and son who run the glass workshop in a country inspired by Pakistan. A war turns tears their lives apart, and the arrival of an army colonel and his talented violinist daughter Alliz strains the relationship between father and son. The voice cast includes Art Malik, Sacha Dhawan, Anjli Mohindra, and Tony Jayawardena.
Watch the film’s trailer below:
