Filipino Canadian Tricia Serdon, raised on Disney movies, always hoped to find a princess resembling her but never did until Forgotten Island. Describing it as a tribute to Filipinos, she appreciated the film’s focus on Filipino culture and mythology. Released by Dreamworks Animation on Sept. 25, Forgotten Island is a groundbreaking Hollywood animated feature centering on Jo and Raissa, childhood friends whose paths diverge as Raissa heads to college in the U.S. while Jo stays in the Philippines.
In the realm of Nakali, a fantasy world filled with supernatural beings derived from centuries-old Filipino folklore, the friends grapple with separation and encounter creatures like the manananggal and the kapre. The co-directors, Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, aimed to showcase Filipino culture through a rich tapestry of mythology, using creatures as metaphors for emotional struggles.
While the film captures the essence of Filipino family life, featuring scenes with karaoke and familial gatherings, it also delves into deeper themes of identity and friendship. The commitment to representation extended beyond the screen, with a star-studded cast of Filipino talent and Manila-based Snipple Animation handling the flashbacks.
Through its authentic storytelling and cultural specificity, Forgotten Island resonates universally, paving the way for more diverse narratives to emerge. Serdon, reflecting on her own experiences, hopes that future generations of Filipinos will see themselves represented more widely in media, thanks to works like Forgotten Island.