{"id":904584,"date":"2026-09-25T04:58:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T04:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/904584\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T04:58:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T04:58:14","slug":"more-than-a-movie-big-screen-representation-on-forgotten-island-that-one-community-will-remember","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/904584\/","title":{"rendered":"More than a movie: Big-screen representation on ‘Forgotten Island’ that one community will remember"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a big day for Filipinos across the globe this Friday as DreamWorks\u2019 newest animated feature film \u201cForgotten Island\u201d comes to theatres.<\/p>\n

It was more than just an animated film to Filipino-Canadian Andrea Custodio.\u00a0 When she exited a screening at Queensway Cinema Wednesday night, she couldn\u2019t help but recognize the weight of the movie she had just watched \u2013 the first time seeing her culture celebrated on the big screen with animated Filipino women as lead characters.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the representation and symbols like the sun, jeepney, and all that. I think it\u2019s pretty cool that now even non-Filipinos can see that and experience the culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Set in the Philippines, \u201cForgotten Island\u201d follows the adventure of two life long best friends, Raissa and Jo, and their quest to find the island of \u2018Nakali\u2019. A short take on the Tagalog word \u2018nakalimutan\u2019 or \u2018forgotten\u2019 in English.<\/p>\n

DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, and Canada-based film enthusiasts\u2019 group, Sine Institute, brought the advanced screening to Toronto where community members had the chance to watch the adventure, but also recognize the journey it took to get here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did not expect a movie, an animated movie like that to be that powerful,\u201d one moviegoer said. \u201cI cried, I laughed it was so funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many applauded the film for its colourful and rich way of portraying Filipino folklore, like the \u2018Aswangs\u2019 \u2013 a shape-shifting supernatural being in the Philippines.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

While the film is being promoted as a mystical adventure for all generations and cultures, \u00a0Sine Institute\u2019s vice president, Rosary Escano, says there is a particular poignancy to this release for Toronto\u2019s Filipino community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many kids from the Filipino community that are interested to learn more about their identity, to really know about mythology, about their history,\u201d he says. \u201cThe way this film was able to tell that story in a funny, emotional way is something different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aside from giving ode to Filipino mythology and culture, the film is being celebrated because of its casting. Filipino actor Liza Soberano is the voice of the character Raissa while Oscar-winner Filipino-American singer-songwriter H.E.R. provides the voice for Jo\u2019s character. They are joined with other voice actors such as Lea Salonga, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, and Filipino-Canadian Manny Jacinto.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this is going to be embraced beyond the community,\u201d Sine Institute\u2019s president Michaelangelo Masangkay said.<\/p>\n

Sine expects the opening weekend of \u201cForgotten Island\u201d to be packed, with the film receiving a 100 per cent score rating on Rotten Tomatoes from professional critics. But, according to Escano, who says, \u201cWe felt seen,\u201d the most important reviews are already in.<\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

Add CityNews Toronto as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.<\/p>\n

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