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DreamWorks' Forgotten Island Celebrates Filipino Culture
Confirmed
In Short: Forgotten Island, an original fantasy-comedy from DreamWorks Animation, celebrates Filipino culture and mythology through the story of two best friends, Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, respectively.
Forgotten Island, an original fantasy-comedy from DreamWorks Animation, celebrates Filipino culture and mythology through the story of two best friends, Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, respectively.
Set in the Philippines and influenced by Southeast Asian mythology, the movie follows Jo and Raissa as they are transported to Nakali, a mystical island filled with supernatural creatures.
Mercado and Crawford, who are best friends and co-directors, drew inspiration from their own Filipino families and experiences.
The directors first met as story artists on DreamWorks’ 2011 feature Kung Fu Panda 2 and later worked together on The Croods: A New Age and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
Sophia, a member of a global girl group, contributed a reimagined version of INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart” to the film’s soundtrack, seeing it as an opportunity to showcase her individuality and pride for her culture.
Forgotten Island touches on many of the themes Sophia holds close, making it a natural fit for her participation.
The film is also inspired by the strong friendship between its writers and directors, Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, who have a shared appreciation for Filipino culture.
Critics have praised Forgotten Island for its impressive animation, rich storytelling, and emotional depth, with an impressive 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Forgotten Island will be released in theaters on September 25, offering audiences a fantastical adventure that celebrates Filipino folklore and culture.
Background
Forgotten Island, directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, is an animated adventure that celebrates Filipino folklore and culture, featuring the voices of H.E.R. and Liza Soberano.
Forgotten Island, directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, is an animated adventure that celebrates Filipino folklore and culture, featuring the voices of H.E.R. and Liza Soberano.
What's confirmed
- Forgotten Island, an original fantasy-comedy from DreamWorks Animation, celebrates Filipino culture and mythology through the story of two best friends, Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, respectively.
- Set in the Philippines and influenced by Southeast Asian mythology, the movie follows Jo and Raissa as they are transported to Nakali, a mystical island filled with supernatural creatures.
- Mercado and Crawford, who are best friends and co-directors, drew inspiration from their own Filipino families and experiences.
- The directors first met as story artists on DreamWorks’ 2011 feature Kung Fu Panda 2 and later worked together on The Croods: A New Age and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
- Sophia, a member of a global girl group, contributed a reimagined version of INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart” to the film’s soundtrack, seeing it as an opportunity to showcase her individuality and pride for her culture.
- Forgotten Island touches on many of the themes Sophia holds close, making it a natural fit for her participation.
- The film is also inspired by the strong friendship between its writers and directors, Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, who have a shared appreciation for Filipino culture.
- Critics have praised Forgotten Island for its impressive animation, rich storytelling, and emotional depth, with an impressive 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Forgotten Island will be released in theaters on September 25, offering audiences a fantastical adventure that celebrates Filipino folklore and culture.
What's still developing
- The animation explores her Filipino culture, family, friendship, celebrating women and staying connected to where you come from.
- Now, nearly half a year later, having seen the full film for ourselves, we were able to sit down with them once more to sing their praises and dive deeper into the inspirations and origins of Forgotten Island.
- When we previously spoke with Crawford and Mercado, we learned that the film was heavily inspired by their close friendship, which had developed since their early days at DreamWorks Animation.
- But while we knew the film was a love letter to Filipino culture and mythology, there were other sources of inspiration that helped define the film and its characters.
- For starters, the duo wanted to make the film a love letter to the strong women in their lives, such as Crawford’s wife and Mercado’s sister.
- Getting to finally sit down with them to break down the movie after seeing it was truly a wonderful experience for me as both a proud Filipino and a cinema and animation fan.
- Over the past few months of covering this fantastic movie, it’s safe to say I’ve developed a genuine sense of comfort in being able to chat with them about the things we love and how much their work means to both the Filipino community and animation fans everywhere.
- In addition to there being very few films in Hollywood centered around Filipino culture, many still underestimate the power of animation as a cinematic medium and a source for mature and emotional storytelling.
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- More New Movie Reviews I Play Rocky Review Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom Review Zack Snyder’s The Last Photograph Review Forgotten Island Review What’s clear about Resident Evil from the first frame is that it’s got some serious pep in its step.
- Forgotten Island, an original fantasy-comedy that fuses 1990s nostalgia, Filipino culture and a story centered on a friendship pushed to its limits, explores the need we all have for these types of true bonds.
- With Forgotten Island, they take on full co-directing duties for the first time on an original concept, focusing their creative partnership on a coming-of-age story.