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New Straits Times

#SHOWBIZ: Indonesia's top-selling animated movie finally arrives in Malaysia

INDONESIA'S most talked-about movie for 2025 is 'Jumbo'. No, it is not about a baby elephant like 'Dumbo' of Disney, but about a chubby and awkward boy who loves fairy tales and one day meets a real fairy. This fantasy animated film directed by Ryan Adriandhy in his directorial debut arrives in Malaysian cinemas nationwide on June 29 and features popular singers Bunga Citra Lestari and Ariel of Noah as the protagonist boy's late parents. SKOP 'Jumbo'. which is distributed by Skop Productions, is jointly produced by Visinema Studios, Springboard and Anami Films, and features the voiceover talents of Prince Poetiray, Quinn Salman, Yusuf Ozkan, Graciella Abigail, Muhammad Adhiyat, Ratna Riantiarno, Angga Yunada, Cinta Laura Kiehl, Ariyo Wahab, Kiki Narendra, Aci Resti and Rachel Amanda. It premiered in Indonesian cinemas on March 31, 2025. ORPHAN At the recent preview of 'Jumbo' at GSC The Starling Mall, Petaling Jaya, Ryan said: "The film tells the story of a 10-year-old orphan named Don who is often belittled by his schoolmates because of his large size. "Don has a fairy tale book inherited from his late parents, filled with illustrations and magical stories. "The book is not only a treasure but also serves as a source of inspiration and escape for Don from a world that feels unwelcoming due to the constant insults by his neighbourhood's children." TALENT Ryan added that Don is able to prove his abilities by participating in a talent show, where he plans to perform a play inspired by stories left by his parents. However, his school bully Atta steals the book, leaving him in despair. "Fortunately, Don always has the support of his grandmother and his best friends, Nurman and Mae." In the midst of his despair, Don meets Meri, a mysterious little fairy, who asks for his help to find her parents. "He then strives to recover his inheritance book. This encounter begins an adventure full of wonders, transforming Don's view of himself, teaching the meaning of true friendship, courage, and self-confidence, and strengthening the bonds of their newly-formed friendship." SCRIPT Ryan wrote the script for 'Jumbo' from 2019 to 2020, and had popular child star Prince in mind for the voice of Don. "Prince is a natural actor, from day one I saw him as the embodiment of what Don should be," he said, adding that 12-year-old Prince has great potential as an actor. Ryan chose to have Bunga and Ariel voice Don's parents as they are among the country's "A-listers" and could attract the cinema-going crowd. "And to make things more interesting, they voice characters who do not look like them at all." GIFTED Ryan said that the young cast comprising Prince (Don), Quinn (Meri), Yusuf (Nurman), Graciella (Mae) and Muhammad (Atta) were "naturally gifted" as voice actors and actresses. "It was a breeze to work with all of them, they fell in love with their characters and poured their hearts and souls into them," he said. He added that the young stars' facial expressions were "put into" the characters. "Whenever the animated kid runs, gasps, sighs or laughs, it's a sign that the real-life voice actor or actress is doing the same." THEME SONG Prince, who is starring in his first movie, also sang the theme song 'Selalu Ada Di Nadimu', a beautiful number which captures the mood of Don, an orphan who clings on to his parents' gift and misses them dearly. "It's a lovely song and I want to thank the producer and director for having me sing it," he said, adding that he also loved his character Don. "Don is a good boy, a loving son, despite his flaws such as being self-centred and not moving on. "When he meets Meri the fairy girl, she teaches him to be brave, caring and sharing, and helps him grow as a person," said Prince, who actually "ran on the spot" to recreate his character's running scenes. FAMILY The animated film's producer Novia Puspa Sari said that 'Jumbo' also carried the message of loving one's parents "before it is too late". "There's a bit of Don in everyone of us, this movie is for families, and celebrates family values," she said. Skop founder Datuk Yusof Haslam said that it was great to have 'Jumbo' "drop by" in Malaysia, as it was Indonesia's best-selling animated film to date, and Southeast Asia's highest-grossing one. "This is a very wholesome animated story that places strong emphasis on family, friendship and being independent, brave and selfless," he said. "Malaysian movie-goers ought not to miss it, and it is best that they bring their families along to the cinemas." Ryan said that Indonesian viewers loved animated stories that were "close to their lives" and celebrated children.