Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film, ten years in the making, hits cinema screens

Special Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film, ten years in the making, hits cinema screens
In this photograph, taken on July 23, 2024, Pakistani animator Usman Riaz speaks during an interview with Arab News in Karachi. (AN Photo)
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Updated 27 July 2024
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Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film, ten years in the making, hits cinema screens

Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film, ten years in the making, hits cinema screens
  • 250 creatives from Pakistan, Malaysia, Canada, South Africa, the US and UK have worked to complete “The Glassworker”
  • Artist and composer Usman Riaz hand-drew each frame of film, which comprises 1,477 cuts and 2,500 individual drawings

KARACHI: Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film, “The Glassworker,” is poised to debut nationwide today, Friday, a feature that took its creator Usman Riaz a decade to complete since he first picked up a pencil and started to sketch. 
Riaz has hand-drawn and storyboarded each frame of the movie, comprising 1,477 cuts and 2,500 individual drawings, bringing to life the coming-of-age tale of two people from disparate backgrounds: young Vincent who is an apprentice at his father’s glass workshop, and the talented violinist Alliz, the daughter of a military colonel. Around them, a war threatens to upend their lives and the relationships between the children and parents are tested. 
“It has been a 10-year obsession to get this done,” Riaz told Arab News in an interview this week, saying the film was the work of creatives from Pakistan, Malaysia, Canada, South Africa, the US and UK.
“The film’s production took four years but the entire journey took 10 years. I was 23 when I started and I am 33 now.
“The first year was just me drawing alone. I would stay up all night sketching my concepts for the characters and on the storyboards. I wanted to do it well and present something to the rest of the world of animation that we can proudly say was made in Pakistan.”
Riaz grew up obsessing over animated films and said he had been drawing ever since he could hold a pencil, spending long hours watching films like Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso and Princess Mononoke by famed Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli. 
By the time he was 21 in 2012, he was considered something of a whiz at the percussive guitar and was selected that year as a TED Fellow to attend TED Global as a speaker. The TED Fellows program hand-picks young innovators from around the world to raise international awareness of their work and maximize their impact.
The following year, Riaz was selected as a Senior TED Fellow and has since spoken at TED and TEDx conferences in Japan, India, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Turkiye, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
In 2015, as the result of giving a TEDxTokyo talk about his love for Japanese animation, Riaz was extended an invitation to Studio Ghibli where he got to share his work with his heroes and was advised to make something that was truly his own. 

After finishing a degree in composition on a full scholarship at the Berklee College of Music in 2017, Riaz returned to Pakistan and co-founded Mano Animation Studios, the country’s first-ever hand-drawn animation facility, with his now wife Mariam Paracha and his cousin Khizer Riaz as its CEO.
“I realized there must be many people like me who loved animation but worked on their own. What if I were to bring some of these artists under one roof?” Riaz wrote in an article for TED in 2016, explaining how Mano Studios came about.
“I searched online for likeminded artists, architects, animators and video game designers, and spread the word by holding workshops in art schools about what I wanted to achieve. I managed to gather a small team of incredibly talented professionals from the UK, South Africa, Malaysia and of course Pakistan.
“I chose the name Mano for the studio because it was my first cat’s name, but I found out later that in Spanish it means “hand” — perfect for a studio that will make animation by hand.”
“COMPELLING STORY”
Riaz said financing to make the film was “extremely difficult” given that Mano was a first-time studio and he was a first-time animation director. 
“As much as I have obsessed over the film since I was a child, there was no way to quantify that when I was pitching,” Riaz said, adding that his network and experience at TED helped him obtain funding and get the right people on board.
A total of 250 people worked on “The Glassworker,” including a national and an international cast and crew. Paracha is the art director on the film and Khizer is the producer, alongside Spanish animation veteran Manuel Cristobal of Wrinkles and Bunuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles. Apoorva Bakshi of Delhi Crime fame is executive producer while international sales are being handled by Charades. The film has been made in both the English and Urdu languages. 
“We got to work with David Friedman on the English language version of ‘The Glassworker’ and that was very special because David has worked on a lot of my favorite animated movies. He and his wife, Lynn Friedman, did the casting for the film with us,” Riaz said, speaking about the conductor of the music scores for Disney’s animated features, including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

 The voice cast for Riaz’s film includes Art Malik (“Man Like Mobeen”), Sacha Dhawan (“Wolf”), Anjli Mohindra (“The Lazarus Project”) and Tony Jayawardena (“Ackley Bridge”).
“For the Urdu version, I learned everything that I could from David, and I voice-directed it here in Karachi,” Riaz said. 
Before the film releases in Pakistan today, “The Glassworker” had its world premiere on June 10 at the Annecy International Animation Festival 2024 in the Contrechamp competition, the first Pakistani film ever to take part in this competition. The film also received rave reviews at the Shanghai International Film Festival 2024.
“Pakistan’s filmmaking tapestry needed something different and I am hoping that this film could be that,” Riaz added.
“Even though ‘The Glassworker’ is an animated film, I hope people resonate with its characters and story. Animation is just the medium we chose to tell this story. We have a compelling story but ultimately the people will decide.”

 


Artist Dan Pearce explores kinetic energy in Doha artwork

Artist Dan Pearce explores kinetic energy in Doha artwork
Updated 12 July 2025
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Artist Dan Pearce explores kinetic energy in Doha artwork

Artist Dan Pearce explores kinetic energy in Doha artwork
  • Steel sculpture captures water dropping onto a surface
  • Doha peninsula was inspiration, Pearce tells Arab News

DUBAI: Internationally-acclaimed London-based artist Dan Pearce has revealed the inspiration for his work to mark the 20th anniversary of the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, titled “Kinetic Drop.”

Known for commissions from French football icon Paul Pogba, other celebrities and global exhibitions, the artist’s bespoke sculpture is crafted from stainless steel.

“I titled this sculpture ‘Kinetic Drop’ because it captures that precise moment when a water droplet collides with a surface, that split second when kinetic energy disperses in all directions,” Pearce told Arab News recently.

“With all my work, I aim to trigger one of three responses: to make viewers think ‘how did he do that?’ to inspire them to touch the artwork, or to encourage movement around the piece for different perspectives,” he added.

The artist, who was born in Australia, is known for his pop culture-inspired work and often turns to DC Comics, musicians and street art for source material.

Taking inspiration from the hotel and its surroundings in Doha may have been a welcome departure for the artist. “The sculpture is mounted on a map of Qatar.

“Geographically, Qatar is also surrounded by water as a peninsula while Four Seasons Doha is situated on the Arabian Gulf where I could see endless views of the shimmering waters from our room — this was also part of the inspiration behind the piece,” he explained.

As for the location of the artwork, the artist said it “could create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, encouraging visitors and guests to interact and connect with it on a social level and experience it before it’s gone.”

Pearce’s work has captured the attention of celebrities and worldwide brands, with commissioned pieces for boxing champion Anthony Joshua, Grammy nominee Rag’n’Bone Man, and hip-hop star 50 Cent, to name a few.

Ensuring his work can be understood across cultures is something that was particularly important to Pearce in the run-up to his showcase in Doha.

“With the concept of the sculpture being water, this makes it universally significant across all cultures. Water represents life, renewal, and connection which are key elements that can transcend cultural boundaries,” he said.


Superman fans claim film is critical of Israel

Superman fans claim film is critical of Israel
Updated 12 July 2025
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Superman fans claim film is critical of Israel

Superman fans claim film is critical of Israel

DUBAI: James Gunn’s new “Superman” film is drawing attention online for what many viewers interpret as a pointed political message. 

A scene showing a heavily armed military force attacking civilians across a border, where children’s lives are at risk, has sparked comparisons to the Israel-Gaza war.

While neither Gunn nor the cast have stated the film references Israel or Palestine, early audiences have drawn their own conclusions, suggesting the conflict serves as an allegorical backdrop.

One user wrote on X: “Y’all were not kidding about how anti-Israel and pro-Palestine that superman movie was, and they were not slick with it AT ALL,” while another said: “Superman was so openly anti-Israel and god it was so good.” 

Another user said: “Not going to lie I really like the anti-Israel sentiment from superman and now I know James Gunn is always standing on business.” 

Though the film never names specific nations, Gunn has said in interviews that it tackles themes of “politics” and “morality,” and positions Superman as an immigrant, comments that have also sparked backlash from some US conservatives.

The film is a reboot of the DC franchise and marks the beginning of Gunn’s new DC Universe. It stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The cast also includes Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl.

The movie was released in Saudi Arabia on July 10. 


Syrian Rami Al-Ali makes Paris haute couture history with debut collection

Syrian Rami Al-Ali makes Paris haute couture history with debut collection
Updated 11 July 2025
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Syrian Rami Al-Ali makes Paris haute couture history with debut collection

Syrian Rami Al-Ali makes Paris haute couture history with debut collection

DUBAI: Syrian designer Rami Al-Ali made history this week as the first couturier from his country to take part in the official Paris calendar, choking back tears at the end of his show of exquisitely tailored pieces.

Working within a palette of soft neutrals, icy pastels and muted metallics, the designer explored volume, texture and structure with a distinct architectural approach.

There were structured silhouettes featuring sharp tailoring and asymmetric cuts, softened by draped elements or delicate embellishments. 

 

 

Floor-grazing gowns crafted from layers of organza and chiffon created a sense of fluidity, with subtle transparency lending an ethereal quality. Hand embroidery, pleated tulle and intricate smocking added depth and visual interest across the collection.

Several looks featured woven or lattice-like details, both in full panels and as accents, emphasizing artisanal technique. 

Other standout designs played with sculptural forms; one gown unfurled into fan-like pleats, while another used cascading layers.

Al-Ali’s inclusion in the Paris calendar marks a major milestone, signaling his entry into fashion’s most elite circle. To qualify for the official haute couture, or “high fashion,” designation, fashion houses meet rigorous standards, and the title is legally protected under French law.

It is a “historical milestone, celebrating a lifelong devotion to craftsmanship, culture, and creative expression, rooted in heritage and elevated by vision,” the fashion house posted on Instagram when it was first announced that Al-Ali would join the calendar.

Originally from Damascus, Al-Ali honed his fashion skills in Dubai and Beirut before founding his label, Rami Al-Ali Couture, in 2001.

His creations have been worn by a variety of celebrities, including Amal Clooney, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, and Jessica Chastain.

Al-Ali’s work has been praised for seamlessly blending his Middle Eastern heritage with Western sensibilities. He is known for designing flowing silhouettes adorned with intricate, playful embellishments — creations that are both timeless and runway-worthy.

Al-Ali was one of a handful of Arab designers on the official haute couture calendar. The lineup also included Lebanese designers Georges Hobeika, Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad, as well as Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi.  


An anthem for unspoken love: Zeyne discusses her latest release, ‘Hilwa’ 

An anthem for unspoken love: Zeyne discusses her latest release, ‘Hilwa’ 
Updated 11 July 2025
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An anthem for unspoken love: Zeyne discusses her latest release, ‘Hilwa’ 

An anthem for unspoken love: Zeyne discusses her latest release, ‘Hilwa’ 
  • The Palestinian-Jordanian artist on her new single, released by MDLBEAST Records 

DHAHRAN: Palestinian-Jordanian artist Zeyne is here for her close-up — and she’s bringing the inspirational women in her family along. 

Zeyne’s latest single “Hilwa” dropped this week and the artwork — shot by Zaid Allozi — shows three women interlocked by their braided hair. 

“The image shows three generations — me, my mother, and my grandmother — all connected by one continuous braid. It’s a symbol of inheritance; the quiet strength and love passed from one woman to the next,” Zeyne tells Arab News. “The braid holds the kind of love that isn’t always spoken, but is deeply felt and remembered.” 

The 27-year-old is using her music to reclaim narrative, identity and joy — singing of Arab womanhood in its most defiant, soulful and cinematic form. 

“We shot (the artwork) in a handmade mudbrick house in the Jordan Valley, built using traditional Levantine methods. These homes — found across Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon — aren’t just sustainable, they carry memory. They connect us to land, to lineage, and to something deeper,” Zeyne says.  

“Hilwa” is an uplifting anthem released via Saudi-based MDLBEAST Records, in partnership with Zeyne’s own label, Scarab Records.  

Zeyne performing at Offlimits Festival in Abu Dhabi in April. (Omar Rezgani)

“When we saw the vision Zeyne and her team had, it was a no brainer, we were ready to jump right in and help amplify what was already there and build together towards a sustainable, long-running, global project stemming from the heart of the MENA region,” Talal Albahiti, COO and head of talent at MDLBEAST, tells Arab News. “MDLBEAST Records always champions the upcoming hard workers and visionaries, and Zeyne exemplifies these qualities perfectly.”  

Following Zeyne’s 2024 hit “Asli Ana,” which reimagined Arab rhythmic traditions through a futuristic lens, “Hilwa” pays homage to her mother and grandmother, whose love and wisdom deeply shaped her sense of identity. “While ‘Asli Ana’ was about resistance, ‘Hilwa’ is softer,” she says.  

Through Zeyne’s reflective lyrics and emotional vocal delivery, “Hilwa” explores how beauty and self-worth are inherited — not just genetically, but through stories, memories, and values passed down by generations of Arab women. “You’re so beautiful and no one can say otherwise,” she sings at one point. 

Zeyne in the studio during the recording sessions for 'Hilwa.' (Zaid Allozi)

Born Zein Sajdi in Amman in 1997, Zeyne was raised in a household where music and culture were key. Her father was a record collector, her mother led a dabke troupe, and her sister trained as a classical pianist. Zeyne began performing aged five and was already writing her own lyrics in her teens. 

She studied sociology and media communications at the University of Sussex in the UK, but the COVID-19 pandemic redirected her path. Returning to Amman in 2020, she turned her full attention to music — writing, recording and developing her distinct sound. 

Since the release of her 2021 debut single, “Minni Ana,” Zeyne has carved a singular lane in Arab pop — merging traditional Arabic sounds with modern, genre-defying production. Since then, she has released several acclaimed singles, collaborated with artists including Palestinian singer-songwriter Saint Levant, and written for fellow Jordanian-Palestinian musician Issam Alnajjar, Lebanese-Canadian singer-songwriter Massari, and the acclaimed Chilean-Palestinian star Elyanna.  

Zeyne performing at Offlimits Festival in Abu Dhabi in April. (Marwan Abouzeid and Zahra Hasby)

With more than 46 million streams across various platforms, Zeyne’s music has become a touchstone for Arab youth globally, offering a sound that is intimate, cinematic and emotionally resonant. Her boundary-pushing sound and evocative vocals have established her as one of the region’s most important cultural voices.  

Earlier this year, she launched a three-stop regional mini tour, “The Golden-Hour Run,” that included a landmark performance at the OffLimits Festival in the UAE and stadium appearances as a special guest on Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour in Qatar and Bahrain, where she performed to over 65,000 people.  

She became the first female artist from the Levant to appear on the globally renowned music platform COLORS with her song “Ma Bansak,” and a viral performance in collaboration with Bottega Veneta blurred the lines between fashion, music, and Palestinian resistance. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by zeyne | زين (@zeyne)

But Zeyne’s influence stretches far beyond music.  

As an EQUAL Arabia ambassador, she lit up Times Square in New York City, solidifying her status as an emerging symbol of contemporary Arab identity and woman empowerment. Her inclusion in the DAZED Global 100 further cemented her status as a fearless voice reshaping representation and storytelling in and beyond the region. 

“Hilwa” captures all of that—vulnerability, defiance, and a deep sense of generational continuity. On Instagram, she wrote that the song stems from an assembly line of greatness, and is “a love letter to all the women in my life — my mother, my grandmother and even my younger self — you are beautiful, and no words can say otherwise.” 

This summer, Zeyne brings that message to the stage. She will perform in London on July 19 and 20, Paris on July 22, and Jerash on July 28, before heading to Saudi Arabia for back-to-back concerts in Riyadh on Aug. 7 and Jeddah on Aug. 8. 


REVIEW: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ — a fun, heartfelt take on the Man of Steel

REVIEW: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ — a fun, heartfelt take on the Man of Steel
Updated 11 July 2025
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REVIEW: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ — a fun, heartfelt take on the Man of Steel

REVIEW: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ — a fun, heartfelt take on the Man of Steel

DUBAI: James Gunn’s “Superman” marks a confident debut for the newly rebooted DC Universe, now firmly under the helm of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” director. Rather than chase the shadow of past gloom-ridden DC iterations, Gunn leans into sincerity, fun, and a touch of chaos to deliver a film that feels refreshingly light and cheerful. It’s heartfelt — though heavy-handed at times — and also makes room for some timely social commentary. In short, it’s a comic book movie that remembers it’s based on a comic book.

Set in a world where Superman is already known but still finding his place, the film follows Clark Kent as he juggles his day job at the Daily Planet newspaper with his not-so-secret life saving the world. Things take a turn when Lex Luthor — now a tech mogul with an envy problem — makes a move to privatize security and put Superman out of commission. Meanwhile, Superman is caught between being a symbol of hope and a political lightning rod, as he personally stops a country from invading its neighbor. 

David Corenswet takes on the red cape with a straight-edged wonder and charm that feels closer to Christopher Reeve than Henry Cavill. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane, meanwhile, is the sharpest person in the room and knows it. Their chemistry is palpable, with an early interview scene between the two setting the tone for the rest of the film. For a film that boasts some high-octane action scenes, the tension this pair create in a tiny living room is unrivalled.  

Gunn’s signature mix of sentiment and snark is all over the place, even if pared back compared to his Marvel days. And there’s a constant undercurrent of real-world commentary: Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is a psychopathic tech tycoon with a god complex (guess who?). And while it never turns preachy, the film doesn’t shy away from allusions to Gaza, Ukraine, or the refugee crisis.

Superman, after all, is an immigrant. And while Gunn doesn’t waste the metaphor, it’s impossible not to feel uneasy when the real-world suffering beamed straight into our social media feeds every day is portrayed alongside cartoon-ish fight scenes. 

Ultimately, Gunn’s “Superman” is an entertaining two hours at the cinema. Is it “Guardians of the Galaxy”-level good? No. Does it need to be? No. Instead, it’s a slightly messy, surprisingly political, and undeniably fun return to a hero who believes in doing the right thing, no matter the cost. And after years of emo DC, that might be just what the doctor ordered.