Il Vetraio

It indeed is the reward of loyal fan. Back in 2016 me and my bestie read a News article about The Glassworker, we got really excited about it cause we have always been mesmerized by ghibli studio's work and it was inspired by it.

Then fast forward in 2024 when it released we were already working successful job holders and it became the first movie we saw with our own money.

Never regretted a single moment about it it was all worth the wait.

THE CHARACTERS I THINK ARE INSPIRED BY GHIBLI STUDIO'S WORK THE MOST: JINN= Calcifer from the howl's moving castle Alieez= Arrietty from Arrietty Vincent= Seiji from whisper of the heart Rest of them 😁 I'll tell when I watch it next time.

It was an amazing experience watching this and since it was hand drawn, every single Frame felt like it was drawn with utmost effort. The details were amazing, the voice acting was amazing, the characters, storyline, and everything was worth the time and money.

Altho I overall Loved it and would recommend everyone to watch it, The ending was a bit off.... Like it felt a bit unexpected, as in "Wait what?" But it wasn't bad tho, and I hope they keep on making other such films and maybe even anime series in Pakistan. I'm sure other people would also have a lot of ideas, and with this movie, I hope they gain motivation and make their own movies as well.

Even tho it was the first ever Pakistani animated movie, and hand drawn as well, It was enough to satisfy!

The animation was hands-off amazing. The visuals were stunning and appealing, evident of the amount of effort and hark work put into each frame of the movie. The animators did a great job capturing the essence of Ghibli films. The music really brought the viewing experience to the next level, literally got goosebumps hearing some of them.

However... the voice acting could have been somewhat better. The delivery of the dialogues felt a bit off because of the British accent, considering the characters were set in Pakistan. Some scenes felt as if a certain frame was missing, messing with the consistency while some had very fluid animation. As for the storyline, it seemed rather messy and confusing. The theme and storyline could have been portrayed a bit better which would've enhanced the experience greatly.

Overall really enjoyed the movie, would recommend watching it, and really respect Usman Riaz's artistic view and effort on this movie. Creating a hand-drawn animated film in Pakistan is not a small feat and he did an amazing job for such a big project. Looking forward to more of his works!

"The Glassworker" doesn't shy away from difficult themes, but it handles them with sensitivity and grace. The looming shadow of war creates a sense of urgency without overshadowing the film's core message about the enduring power of art, love, and the human spirit. The voice acting is superb, breathing life into each character and amplifying the emotional resonance of the film. The score is a masterpiece in itself, perfectly complementing the visuals and evoking a range of emotions. From the bustling cityscapes to the quiet moments of contemplation, the music elevates every scene. The voice acting is superb, breathing life into each character and amplifying the emotional resonance of the film. The score is a masterpiece in itself, perfectly complementing the visuals and evoking a range of emotions. From the bustling cityscapes to the quiet moments of contemplation, the music elevates every scene. The animation is a love letter to the art of hand-drawn artistry. Lush landscapes and vibrant cityscapes come alive with meticulous detail, while the characters move with a grace that captures the essence of life. But the true magic lies in the depiction of glassblowing itself. Each fiery dance with molten glass is a mesmerizing spectacle, a testament to the dedication of the animators and a celebration of this ancient craft."The Glassworker" transcends the boundaries of animation. It's a tapestry woven with breathtaking visuals, a poignant story, and a message that resonates deeply. This Pakistani masterpiece is a landmark achievement, not just for its country's film industry, but for animation as a whole. The story unfolds like a delicate work of blown glass, both beautiful and fragile. Vincent, our protagonist, struggles to find his place in a world threatened by war. His journey of self-discovery is interwoven with a love story that blossoms amidst hardship. The characters are richly drawn, each with their own dreams and fears, making their struggles all the more relatable.

First, let me get this out the way, the movie is aesthetically a masterpiece. Would have never believed that such a beautiful, hand-drawn animation could come out of Pak. The Urdu voice actors were fantastic too, especially the person who voiced Vincent's Dad.

Beyond that I felt the film severely lacked in storyboarding, character development, and overall character arcs. It got tedious and boring at times in between the usual Ghibli tropes. They could have definitely perfected the script in the 10 years the film spent in development. But, in the end they drew stunning animation for a very weak story. Despite that, I was totally on-board with the pacifist message that formed the crux of the story.

Also, they market the film as made-in Pak, but the characters and setting look ostensibly western. I mean, I get it that they wanted to appeal to a global audience, but they could have incorporated more of the local culture apart from token mentions. After all, the film's core viewership and theatre-going base was to be in Pak.

Despite the weak story, I would commend the score of the film. It was hauntingly beautiful and executed masterfully within scenes.

In conclusion, despite it's obvious flaws, The Glassworker is a film to watch for art lovers & Ghibli fans. You might be bored by the story and characters, but the the visuals and music score will keep you there till the end.

P. S: I have heard that the English voiceover is not as good. I watched it in Urdu, so can't comment on that opinion. The Urdu version was quite well done.