The Glassworker

anime films. But director Usman Riaz relies heavily on reality rather than adapting fantasy themes like most anime films. But there is a hint of magic here too. Its anti-war film which tells the story of young vincent, a son of a glassworker who just wants to become like his father. As he grows we see his conflicts with other people of the city who don't share similar ideology as him and his father and often people look down upon vincent and are treated badly. Writing focuses more on the friendship turned love relationship of Alliz & vincent which conflicts with themes of war. What is more important in the world, love & peace or war & violence? These are the questions the film raises. The film treats these themes of life, love and war delicately without losing their depth, with beautiful animation. But for me the film was letdown in terms of emotions and characters setting. The film really lacks those hard hitting emotions, even the voice actors lack that emotional tone and sound very monotonous, the dialogues also are very simple. I also did not understand the characters and setting, the world where the movie was set looked like a mishap of both western countries and Pakistan. Even the characters, some had western names and some Pakistani names. If the story had focused more on pakistani culture and richness and set the world there it would have been much more impactful i feel. But its a good attempt to make a worthy anime film which is a treat to watch visually and in storytelling.