What is Forgotten Island, DreamWorks' Filipino folklore film featuring H.E.R., Bini, SB19 and Lea Salonga?
When H.E.R. was growing up, one creature from Filipino folklore featured particularly prominently in the stories her mother told her. The Manananggal, a mythical creature that can separate the upper half of its body and fly through the night, was used to frighten the future Grammy and Oscar-winning singer. “When I was a kid, that was the one that my mom would always tell,” H.E.R. told Reuters.…
Forgotten Island is a new DreamWorks Animation fantasy adventure film inspired by Filipino culture and mythology. The movie, set in the Philippines during the 1990s, follows lifelong best friends Jo, voiced by Grammy and Oscar-winning singer H.E.R., and Raissa, played by Filipino-American actress Liza Soberano. As they part ways on their final night together, the pair accidentally discover a magical portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali.
To return home, they must navigate a world inhabited by various mythical creatures, including the infamous Manananggal, a vampire-like being with the ability to separate its upper body from its lower half and fly through the night, voiced by Lea Salonga. The film's screenplay and direction were provided by Joel Crawford and Filipino-American filmmaker Januel Mercado, with Mercado drawing inspiration from his sister and the rich collection of Filipino myths and legends.
Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, praising the animation, emotional core, and celebration of Filipino culture.
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