Last weekend , Dreamworks released the animated film “Forgotten Islands,” a movie following two main characters, Raissa and Jo, finding a magical world and navigating their friendship as one of them leaves their home in the Philippines to go to school in America.
What makes this movie so unique is that it is the first Dreamworks movie to represent Filipino culture, which is very underrepresented in Western media. The culture of the Philippines is a vibrant one, filled with fun and boasting of a rich mythology in many stories and creatures.
The movie is not only an excellent representation of Filipino culture, but also a story that leaves an emotional impact on all audiences alike, making it one of the best animated movies of the year.
In terms of its representation of Filipino culture, the movie primarily focuses on both the mythology and the way of life. It presents the mythology in a way that is very accurate to the culture, yet also understandable to a non-Filipino audience. This is best seen in one of the main antagonists in the film, the Mannananggal.
As one of the most famous creatures in Filipino mythology, the Mannananggal is most well known for its ability to detach its upper and lower body, as well as being very vampiric in appearance. The movie preserves the original and well-known elements of the Mannananggal while putting a new spin on the design, making it both creepy and interesting to the point where every time she is on screen, she steals the spotlight with her captivating appearance and role throughout the film.
Even though many non-Filipinos will not be familiar the Mannananggal (or at most, just have a very vague idea of it), the movie gives enough context to who she is and why she is such a threat in Filipino mythology. Besides, her presence alone is enough to intimidate the audience.
The movie also takes many fun creative liberties with the culture, the best example being the Dwende. According to the mythology, the Dwende are portrayed as dwarf-like creatures that look similar to old men, with beards and a frail body. “Forgotten Islands” ditches this concept partially, keeping them small but making them much less like old men and more like cute gnomes.
Although this portrayal is almost the complete opposite of what they are meant to be, it is still a fun twist on the culture, which once again welcomes those who have no clue what the mythology is along with those who are more knowledgeable of the mythology.
On the topic of changes in the mythology, many of the creative liberties were taken to appeal to a more family-friendly audience rather than trying to make the culture more appealing to a worldwide audience.
Besides the mythology, the rest of the culture is also very well represented, with even many minor aspects of the culture being included. One of the best examples of this is the importance of family, especially the elders.
In the movie, Jo’s father is absent, leading to her lola (grandmother) taking care of her and becoming a huge influence in both Jo’s and Raissa’s life. In Filipino culture, family is very important, especially the elders, as they are often looked up to within the family.
This value extends beyond the culture and becomes universal in the sense that family, especially the elders, is something valued in many places. Most have a very strong connection to their family, making this movie something that is not just for Filipinos, but for anyone.
Another fun portrayal of culture in the movie is the use of karaoke. Karaoke is very popular in the Philippines, as it gives many an opportunity to show off their singing skills while also having a good time. In the movie, karaoke is constantly portrayed as very important, as it shows people getting together and having a good time, following the movie’s theme of family and friendship.
While the movie is an amazing representation of Filipino culture, it also doesn’t limit its audience, and welcomes anyone who watches it. I believe that it is a movie that should be seen by more people, even if they are not so interested in the culture, as it has something for everyone.