Forgotten Island Review
· culture
‘Forgotten Island’ Review: Dreamworks Animation’s Latest Celebrates Filipino Folklore With Dazzling Wit and Imagination
DreamWorks Animation’s latest offering, Forgotten Island, has been touted as a celebration of Filipino folklore. While it is true that the film draws heavily from Southeast Asian mythology, this raises important questions about its broader cultural significance.
Forgotten Island is set in 1990s Philippines, a time and place not often explored in mainstream media. The story follows two schoolgirls, Jo and Raissa, as they navigate their complicated friendship and are transported to a mystical island through a magical portal. Once there, they encounter a host of fantastical creatures, including were-dogs, memory-eating demons, and giant demon babies.
The film’s visuals are undoubtedly dazzling, with influences ranging from anime to Studio Ghibli. Lola, Jo’s grandmother, is a wise and fierce figure who passes down traditional folktales to her granddaughter. These stories become a source of comfort and strength for both girls as they navigate their complicated relationships with each other.
However, the film’s convoluted plot is a jumbled mess of characters and situations, with too many threads to keep track of. This narrative confusion can be frustrating at times, but despite its flaws, Forgotten Island remains engaging and even touching in moments.
One of the most significant aspects of Forgotten Island is its cultural authenticity. The cast, which includes H.E.R., Liza Soberano, and Dolly de Leon, brings a level of authenticity to the film that is often lacking in Hollywood productions. This marks a rare moment in mainstream media where Filipino culture is centered, rather than simply tokenized or stereotyped.
The film’s cultural significance extends beyond its visuals, however. Forgotten Island raises important questions about the ethics of cultural exchange and appropriation. The incorporation of traditional Filipino instruments into the original soundtrack by composer Nathan Matthew David creates a unique blend of old and new sounds. But what does this mean for the cultural ownership of these traditions?
As we continue to navigate the complexities of cultural exchange, Forgotten Island serves as a reminder that true originality lies not in the absence of influence, but in the depth of understanding. The film may be a jumbled mess of characters and situations, but its cultural significance extends far beyond its narrative flaws.
Reader Views
- PLProf. Lana D. · social historian
While Forgotten Island's cultural authenticity is indeed a refreshing departure from Hollywood's typical tokenization of non-Western cultures, we must also consider the film's potential for cultural appropriation. The use of Filipino folklore and imagery without adequate context or critical examination may reinforce stereotypes about Filipino identity, particularly among international audiences who may not be familiar with these stories in their original form. To truly amplify Filipino culture, filmmakers need to engage in meaningful collaboration with community members and experts, rather than relying on surface-level representation.
- DCDrew C. · cultural critic
While Forgotten Island's celebration of Filipino folklore is certainly a welcome step in mainstream animation, it's worth considering the film's potential impact on cultural appropriation. By drawing from mythology and incorporating authentic elements, does DreamWorks Animation risk perpetuating a "pick-and-choose" approach to cultural borrowing? In other words, are they borrowing these elements without truly understanding or engaging with their deeper meaning? The film's authenticity is certainly laudable, but it remains to be seen whether this marks the beginning of a genuine dialogue between Western animation and Southeast Asian culture, or simply another chapter in the long history of cultural appropriation.
- TSThe Society Desk · editorial
While Forgotten Island's celebration of Filipino folklore is a refreshing departure from Hollywood's usual Orientalist tendencies, its cultural significance is complicated by the fact that its influence is already being felt in Southeast Asian markets - but will it reach further? The film's use of folkloric motifs and characters raises questions about ownership and appropriation. How do we ensure that these stories are not co-opted for Western audiences, but instead serve as a bridge to connect cultures and foster understanding between them?