MANILA, Philippines — DreamWorks Animation has dropped the first full official trailer for "Forgotten Island," its upcoming film inspired by Filipino culture and folklore.
The film stars Liza Soberano and Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, the Filipino American artist better known as H.E.R., as Raissa and Jo, best friends since childhood.
The trailer opens with Raissa and Jo, dressed as a manananggal, meeting outside the principal's office, with Filipino decor in the background as Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)" plays.
Jo seals her friendship with Raissa by pulling out a butterfly knife engraved with "Lola" and cutting off her hair tie to make a friendship bracelet, though Raissa initially thinks they are making a blood pact.
Time passes as Raissa and Jo get into antics over their shared love of local mythology, including driving a jeep while underage.
Friendship tested by change
After graduating from high school, Jo pleads with Raissa not to continue her studies in the United States, which Raissa's parents want for her. The move could mean the end of their friendship despite their many good memories together
A portal shaped like the eight-ray sun on the Philippine flag then opens on the beach across from their jeepney, sucking the friends in.
They awaken to a sarimanok on the mysterious island of Nakali—a dangerous place where memories are lost the longer one stays.
Mythical creatures on Nakali
The two friends then embark on a mission to leave the island, which is filled with Filipino mythical creatures, including the weredog Raww, voiced by Dave Franco, and The Dreaded Manananggal, voiced by Lea Salonga, before their memories are lost forever.
The trailer ends with Jo helping Raissa calm down from a panic attack through a breathing technique inspired by the Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out."
Also in the voice cast are Dolly de Leon, Filipino American comedian Jo Koy, Filipino Canadian actor Manny Jacinto, Filipino American actress Amielynn Abellera, and comedians Jenny Slate and Ronny Chieng.
The film is directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the latter a Filipino American, with a score by Filipino American composer Nathan Matthew David.
"Forgotten Island" premieres in Philippine cinemas on September 23. — Video from Universal Pictures Philippines' YouTube channel