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‘Forgotten Island’s Manny Jacinto and Jenny Slate Want Audiences To Remember Their Forgotten Rom-Com
DreamWorks’ animated film *Forgotten Island* follows childhood friends Jo and Raissa as they journey to Nakali, a mythical island inspired by Filipino folklore. In an interview, Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate and Dave Franco discussed voicing the island’s unusual inhabitants, praising directors Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado for creating a supportive creative environment and highlighting the importance of bringing Filipino stories to a global audience.
The actors’ characters reflect different fears and anxieties: Bungi struggles to leave his mother’s shop, while Batiba must confront difficult truths about fear and memory; Franco voices Raww, Nakali’s only were-dog. Slate described animation as an especially meaningful part of her career, Franco noted that the film took more than five years to develop and required eight to ten recording sessions, and Jacinto said the film’s cultural representation made his involvement particularly significant.
In short
- *Forgotten Island* brings Filipino folklore to mainstream animation.
- The actors praised the directors’ guidance and supportive working environment.
- Its creatures embody fears including agoraphobia and separation anxiety.
Explained simply
Forgotten Island is a DreamWorks animated film that tells the story of two childhood friends, Jo and Raissa, who journey to Nakali, a mythical island inspired by Filipino folklore and traditions. The film features voice actors including Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate and Dave Franco bringing the island's characters to life.
The project represents a concerted effort to bring Filipino stories to international audiences through animation. Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado, the film took more than five years to develop, underlining the filmmakers' commitment to authentic cultural representation.
The film's narrative explores characters dealing with different fears and personal challenges that reflect deeper human anxieties. Through its mythical setting and folkloric inspiration, Forgotten Island aims to introduce Filipino culture and storytelling traditions to viewers worldwide.