Last weekend, the animated film premiered in Spanish cinemas The glass artist (The Glassworker), a production that has made history within the animation industry. Directed by Pakistani Usman Riaz in his directorial debut, this masterpiece is the first hand-drawn animated film in the history of Pakistan.
Inspired by the works of the legendary Studio Ghibli, Riaz confessed: “Studio Ghibli is a great inspiration. “They are my heroes.” With this statement, the director made clear the influence of the greats of Japanese animated cinema on his work, something that can be clearly seen in each scene of The Glassworker.
A story of love and hope in times of war
The glass artist is a production set in the fictional coastal town of Waterfront, a site known for its fertile soil and silica-rich sand. The film tells the story of Vincent Oliver, a young glazier’s apprentice, and Alliz Amano, a talented violinist and daughter of an army colonel. The plot addresses the devastating impact of war on the lives of the characters and, in turn, explores themes such as love, loss and the fight for peace.
The film combines a deeply emotional narrative with a beautiful visual style. The animation, clearly influenced by the style of Studios Ghibli, stands out for its attention to detail and its potential to convey complex emotions.
The story features the presence of djinns, spirits of fire that play an important role in the story and add a touch of mysticism and cultural depth.
The success of The glass artist
Produced by Mano Animation Studios and backed by Awedacious Originals, The glass artist is the result of more than a decade of hard work.
The film had its world premiere at the prestigious Annecy International Animated Film Festival on June 10 of this year, where it received praise for its bold anti-war statement and visual beauty.
Subsequently, it hit theaters in Pakistan on July 26 and managed to gross 10 million rupees in its first weekend alone.
In Spain, distribution is carried out by A Contracorriente Films, which has opted for Riaz’s work as one of its great offers for the autumn season.
A cast of outstanding voices
The voice cast includes notable names such as Sacha Dhawan (also known for her work in other notable productions such as The Great either Iron Fist), Anjli Mohindra (who has participated in Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventuresfor example) and Art Malik (whose voice is present in works such as True Lies either sherlock). Their work complements the monumental effort it took to create a completely hand-drawn film.
About the reception of the work
Critical reception has been, for the most part, positive. Mohammad Kamran Jawaid, Pakistani newspaper Dawnpraised the film’s animation, story, and pacifist message. «The Glassworker “It is visually stunning, yet thematically heavy, with a realistic approach to love and relationships that prioritizes authenticity over fantasy,” he said.
In Spain, the public has also responded with enthusiasm. Film buffs have highlighted the cultural references and the universality of the message, calling it a unique film of its kind.
However, some critics have pointed out small imperfections. Ricardo Gallegos, from The Figurinepointed out that “although the animation fulfills what was promised, it lacks fluidity in certain movements.” He also mentioned minor issues in the dubbing, particularly in key scenes where emotions failed to be fully conveyed.
With its premiere in Spanish cinemas, it is expected that The glass artist consolidates itself as one of the most outstanding animated films of the year. Furthermore, through its possible participation in international festivals, it will possibly continue to garner praise around the world.
For Usman Riaz and his team, this is just the beginning. As Riaz put it: “We have proven that we can create something beautiful from scratch. “Art has no borders.”
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