KARACHI: The writer, director, and producer of Pakistan's first 3D stereoscopic animated feature film, "Allahyar and the 100 Flowers of God" has said he aimed to highlight climate change and environment-related issues with his latest film, set for release on June 2 this year.
"Allahyar and the 100 Flowers of God" is the sequel to the critically acclaimed animated film, "Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor," which was released in 2018. The film, whose teaser was released on Sunday, was announced earlier this month at a press event in Lahore, with the film's cast and crew in attendance.
According to 3rd World Studio, the company producing the sequel, "Allahyar and the 100 Flowers of God" is Pakistan's first 3D stereoscopic animated feature film in the action thriller, science-fiction and adventure genres.
The film follows the life of Allahyar, a young boy from Pakistan's northern areas, who travels to a new world with his best friend to rescue his father from a race of ruthless, wood-poaching robots.
The film features an ensemble cast for voice-overs, including acting powerhouses Humayun Saeed, Ali Zafar, Iqra Aziz, Meera and Bushra Ansari. Meanwhile, popular singers Zafar, Ali Noor, Sanam Marvi, and Grehan The Band, have lent their vocals to the project.
"The theme for this one [Allahyar and the 100 Flowers of God] is the environment, keeping in trend with the prequel that explored the theme of wildlife conservation,” Uzair Zaheer Khan, who wrote, directed, and produced the film, told Arab News after the teaser launch on Sunday.
The prequel revolves around the Allahyar from the first film, who befriended Mehru, an endangered wild goat species and Pakistan’s national animal, and their thrilling journey to save the markhor's family at the hands of a merciless poacher.
Khan said there weren't a lot of movies in Pakistan that featured "culturally relevant" family-oriented content in Urdu for families or kids.
"Animated content has a huge impact on people, particularly younger audiences," he explained. "It is a very interesting tool to instill pride in them about their culture and values, and who they are as Pakistanis," he added.
The film, according to 3rd World Studio's press statement, focuses on climate change and clean renewable energy and stresses the importance of trees and forests for a better, greener future. It also touches on social inequality, injustice and friendship.
Khan said "Allahyar and the 100 Flowers of God" was an unprecedented film, given that Pakistani animated films released so far had all been 2D animation movies.
"Worldwide, new films especially western films that are coming out, either animated or live-action, they are all 3D," he said. "It’s a new benchmark and we have upgraded the film visually, story-wise, and in terms of production quality.”
Executive producer and movie distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla said it was a matter of "great pride" for his company to distribute and release "the first 3D film of Pakistan."
“The first part of the series, Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor, was also a great success in 2018," he told Arab News, "and we are looking forward that part 2 is also going to be very significant at the box office."
