DreamWorks' 'Forgotten Island' Celebrates Filipino Mythology Through Friendship and Adventure

By Janet Susan R. Nepales
Photography courtesy of DreamWorks Animation Studios and Janet Nepales

DreamWorks Animation is introducing audiences to Filipino mythology with "Forgotten Island," the studio's first Philippine-inspired animated feature. Written and directed by Academy Award nominees Joel Crawford and Filipino American filmmaker Januel Mercado and produced by Mark Swift, the team behind "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," the film blends fantasy, friendship and folklore while featuring an all-star cast led by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano.

The story follows high school graduates Jo, voiced by H.E.R., and Raissa, voiced by Soberano, who have been best friends since grade school but are preparing to begin separate chapters of their lives. While celebrating their final night together, they discover a mysterious portal that transports them to the magical island of Nakali, short for nakalimutan, or "forgotten," where they encounter the mythical creatures they grew up hearing about from their Filipino families.

The voice cast also includes Tony Award winner Lea Salonga as the Dreaded Manananggal; Manny Jacinto as Bungi, a Tiyanak; BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee Dolly de Leon as Lola Fatima; Jo Koy; Amielynn Abellera; Kristin Villanueva; Dave Franco; Jenny Slate; Ronny Chieng; Kevin McCann; and Katseye's Sophia Laforteza.

The film’s Filipino representation extends to its music, with Filipino American composer Nathan Matthew David creating the score and songs performed by H.E.R., Soberano, Salonga, Laforteza and BINI.

For Mercado, the film is deeply personal.

"My sister Jo is one of the inspirations of the film," he said.

He added, “Being Filipino American, it was a world that we wanted to celebrate, especially through our families. It really is a love letter to the culture and the families. The setting and the theme of friendship were inspired by our friendship and the connections of our loved ones. That was definitely the kind of beating heart of this.”

Crawford said his own inspiration came from his wife, Kathy.

"My wife is Filipina, and she was born in the Philippines and lived there until she was 9," he said. "She actually hadn't been back until this research trip. Seeing my wife be reunited with family that she hadn't seen in over 30 years was so impactful. I think that's a big thing that has stuck with us about memories and those moments we make."

H.E.R. and Soberano shared what it meant to be part of a Philippine-inspired animated movie.

“We were in the Philippines in 2019, and my mom was literally trying to scare us, talking about the manananggal (known in Philippine folklore as a vampire-like being that can separate its upper torso from its lower body, fly at night using bat wings and prey on pregnant women and newborns) and all these other stories that I grew up on," H.E.R. said. "So, I thought it was so cool that I got to share a piece of my childhood in this work and with the world. That’s super rewarding to me.”

Soberano, on the other hand, said, “For me, it was super exciting too, because it’s been a longtime dream of mine to be in a project that really represents the Philippines in a very accurate way, but at the same time is universal enough for people outside of the Philippines to be able to relate to. Aside from that, to have Filipino culture displayed or showcased by a major studio is very exciting because we don’t really get that often. It meant a lot to me. I was very excited and very honored to be part of this project.”

The friendship between Crawford and Mercado also became part of the film's foundation.

“We've been friends for almost two decades here at DreamWorks,” Crawford said. “We started together on ‘Kung Fu Panda 2.’ And I'm going to embarrass Januel for a second here. We were storyboard artists, and we were put together in the same office. It was one of those things where Januel has this superpower, which is that he has the ability to make everybody feel safe and feel seen.

“I found so quickly a kindred spirit in my stupid humor, in my movie references, and, more than anything, a great friend who made me feel like I could be myself around him. That, honestly, is a gem that has gifted me for almost two decades. When allowed to tell an original story, I was like, ‘Friendship, man. It's got to be about that.’”

When asked how they gathered all these talents, Mercado pointed out, “Obviously, they are very talented people who are rising stars and have also made a name for themselves. So, I think it was just probably an equation of luck that they’re into it, also our passion and personal connection to this story.

“They saw that as well. And, like so many of us, we see the value of representation and stories to be personal and to be shared. The beauty of our culture was an easy thing for them to connect to. It’s so meaningful when we show them things, when we show them the trailer, like Jo Koy, Liza or Gabi (H.E.R.) are tearing up just seeing that Filipino sun.”