WATCH: 'Forgotten Island' animated film featuring Liza Soberano, H.E.R., other Pinoys shows Filipino identity in new trailer
Filipino foklore gets its turn in the global spotlight in DreamWorks' latest animated film Forgotten Island, which just released its trailer.
Featuring a manananggal, kapre, and the Ibong Adarna along with best friends Jo and Raissa, the trailer is robust with all the colors and personality of the Philippines, made even more fun with its Simple Minds soundtrack.
Boosting the authentic Pinoy experience the film seeks to deliver is a mostly Filipino voice cast. Jo is portrayed by Filipino-American artist Gabi Wilson, better known as H.E.R.; Raissa is voiced by Liza Soberano. Tony Award winner Lea Salonga voices the villainous manananggal. Rounding out the Filipino contingent are award-winning actress Dolly de Leon, comedian Jo Koy, and A Good Place actor Manny Jacinto.
The story, set in the 1990s, revolves around Jo and Raissa, who grow up in what appears to be rural Philippines. When they're about to part ways for college, they stumble upon a portal that brings them to a magical world containing all the monsters of Filipino myths. The best friends have to find a way to leave the island before they forget all their memories, including each other.
Januel Mercado, another Filipino, co-wrote and co-directed the film with Joel Crawford. The duo first met when they both worked on Kung Fu Panda 2.
Variety reported that this is H.E.R.'s first time trying voice acting and animation. At the release of the trailer at Dreamworks HQ in Glendale, California, she expressed her elation when she received the script.
“I was so excited. You have no idea. We were in the Philippines in 2019, and my mom was trying to scare us about all these stories. I literally grew up on them. I get to share a piece of my childhood in this work and with the world," she said.
Also at the unveiling was Soberano, who shared H.E.R.'s excitement.
“It’s been a long-time dream of mine to be able to be in a project that really represented the Philippines in a very accurate way, but at the same time, is universal enough for people to be able to relate to. To have Filipino culture showcased by a major studio is very exciting," Soberano said.
Forgotten Island hits cinemas on Sept. 25.
