After its initial premiere at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 10, 2024, The Glassworker anime film, which featured Ghibli movie’s art style, made its official debut in Pakistan on July 26, 2024. This marked the first hand-drawn animated film produced by Mano Animation Studios to be released in its home country.
The director of this animation film is Usman Riaz, who dedicated 10 years of hard work to demonstrate that animation can be created anywhere with determination and perseverance. The film narrates the tale of Vincent, the son of a Glassworker, and Alliz, the daughter of a Colonel, who were torn apart by war but brought together by a supernatural force.
Despite being the first animation film from a country where the concept of ‘animation’ was previously nonexistent, the movie was truly impressive. Its standout features included its resemblance to Ghibli music, its calming soundtrack, and all other elements that made it a true ‘anime film.’ While it may have had some imperfections, it undeniably left a lasting impact on the history of its home country.
This article contains the author’s opinion and may include spoilers from The Glassworker anime film.
The Glassworker: A Review of 10 Years of Hard Work
Despite being produced by a newly formed studio and individuals with limited animation experience, the movie effectively captured the love and effort put into its creation.
The majority of the team’s staff hailed from Pakistan, however, it also included foreign members such as storywriter Moya O’Shea, producer Manuel Cristóbal, and music producer Carmine Diflorio. The dedication and hard work of each and every staff member was evident in the movie, contributing to its overall atmosphere.
The Pros of The Glassworker
Although it is an animation movie from Japan, it would still be appropriate to discuss the chemistry between characters, the development of the story, and various other aspects. However, since this movie was the debut of a group of ‘new’ animators, it would be best to approach it with simplicity in mind.
This movie takes great inspiration from Ghibli films, as stated by the director in a recent interview. The influence of Ghibli is evident in every scene, particularly in the meticulous attention to detail. While Ghibli movies are renowned for their intricate food animations, this film highlights the art of glass-making.
Vincent’s formative years were largely spent engaged in glassblowing with his father Oliver. The intricate process of pushing air through a pipe and watching as the glass bulb expanded was a mesmerizing sight, with every step of the glassworking process executed with precision and attention to detail.
Additionally, the additional information regarding the background of animation enhanced the overall viewing experience, as any subpar animation in the background would be easily noticeable.
The smooth transition between scenes was a crucial factor in making The Glassworker a beautiful film. Whether it was from the scene where Vincent and Alliz walk through the forest to the scene where Alliz’s hair is tied, the movie seamlessly moved from one moment to the next, adding to its overall beauty.
This aspect often proves challenging because individuals tend to underestimate the difficulty of connecting two scenes based on their content. Therefore, credit must be given to the animators for their meticulous attention to this detail.
In contrast to other animes, one detail that is often overlooked but is noticeable in The Glassworker is its music. It is possible that Joe Hisaishi’s compositions from early Ghibli films served as inspiration for The Glassworker, particularly the pieces One Summer’s Day from Spirited Away and The Name of Life.
In contrast to Joe Hisaishi, The Glassworker’s music was delicately ‘uncomplicated.’ This may have been why fans enjoyed it and how it harmonized with the straightforward plot of the movie.
Lastly, the movie was screened in both English and Urdu (the national language of Pakistan). The English dubbing was exceptional, and it was evident that the voice actors truly embodied their roles. As dubbing plays a crucial role in creating a cinematic experience, this aspect made The Glassworker stand out.
The Glassworker Review: The Points That Needed to Be Worked On
The Urdu voice acting lacked fluidity, which had a negative impact on the overall movie experience. The production team should consider utilizing local talents for this aspect, as there is a plethora of skilled voice-over actors in the country who deserve recognition. Additionally, the synchronization between the voice and mouth movements was not up to par, which is a commendable feat achieved by Japanese animes in both their series and movies.
Despite the character designs evoking a sense of Ghibli movies, the overall design appeared somewhat rough, with the exception of the detailed parts. Requesting more complex character designs would be a stretch, as this was the production team’s first attempt, but improvement in this aspect is necessary.
The Glassworker’s Open-Ended Ending: Did the Storywriter’s Intention Backfire?
In recent times, we have seen a rise in open-ended media projects due to the growing demand for varied perspectives from fans. As a result, these projects have gained popularity and have become a common occurrence. However, the decision of The Glassworker production team to leave their movie with an open ending may not have had the desired effect.
To ensure a satisfying conclusion to a project, character development is crucial. It allows the fandom to reach a consensus on the ending, rather than being divided by minority opinions.
Despite The Glassworker paying little attention to this aspect, the ending remained unresolved and was mostly ignored by fans.
Final thoughts
The Glassworker is a solid anime production, possibly opting for a simple plotline to broaden its appeal beyond regular viewers of Japanese animation. Personally, I found it enjoyable as I went in with no preconceived notions, despite knowing it drew inspiration from Ghibli films.
The experience was truly fulfilling and even more thrilling. It wouldn’t be fair to compare this movie to contemporary anime, as it marks Usman Riaz’s first venture into the world of animation. The production team of The Glassworker put in immense effort and dedication, demonstrating the demanding nature of creating animation.
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