DreamWorks Animation unveiled the first trailer of its latest feature film, “Forgotten Island”, marking a major milestone in Filipino representation in Hollywood as it showcases local culture and folklore.
Set in the Philippines in the ‘90s, the film centres around childhood best friends Raissa and Jo, played by Filipino-Americans Liza Soberano and H.E.R., respectively.
The trailer begins with the two meeting. Wearing makeshift wings, Jo asked Raissa to be her best friend, with them sealing their pact with matching bracelets.
The bracelets then became a symbol of their friendship, the ever-growing number of charms representing their adventures.
The trailer then picks up after the pair’s graduation, with Jo convincing Raissa not to go abroad to the United States with her parents.
Then, the two stumbled into a portal to Nakali, a fantastical island filled with Filipino mythological creatures.
The two must find a way out of Nakali, as a prolonged stay on the island will result in the memories of their friendship being stripped away.
Distinctly Pinoy
The whimsical, ‘90s-era aesthetic of “Forgotten Island” is distinctly Filipino, with snippets of the country’s culture peeking through the trailer.
From the start, audiences can see a reference to the “manananggal” with Jo’s wings. The monster, which can separate its torso from its lower half and fly, is also the big-bad on the island of Nakali.
The iconic jeepney is also present, serving as the ride for the two protagonists.
Viewers can also see some uniquely Pinoy references, like Jo and Raissa’s schoolgirl uniforms, a nod to “jail booths” during school fairs, karaoke and even the pesky “spaghetti wires” in neigbourhoods.
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Filipino-dominated production
“Forgotten Island” is also a production dominated by Pinoys, featuring the biggest voice cast of Filipino actors in a Hollywood film.
Besides Fil-Am leads Soberano and H.E.R., the cast also includes award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga, who will play The Dreaded Manananggal.
Other Filipino voice cast members include actor Manny Jacinto, actress Dolly de Leon and comedian Jo Koy.
The film also stars Dave Franco as the weredog Raww, Jenny Slate and Ronny Chieng.
Additionally, the film is helmed by Fil-Am Januel Mercado, together with Joel Crawford.
The pair worked together to direct “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”, and Mercado worked as head of story on “The Croods: A New Age with Crawford directing.
Fil-Am Nathan Matthew David, whose portfolio includes “Tenet”, “Joy Ride” and “The Mandalorian”, is also the film’s composer.
“Forgotten Island” will be released on September 25.
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