MIMBI: No, the market is too small. Mr. Tuviera thinks that there's a very small chance he will get his investment back. This project is a fulfillment of all our dreams, especially that of Mr. Tuviera for he has been working on it since 1997. Hopefully, we get to distribute the film abroad.
Q: How do you compare "Urduja's" animation as against others?
MIMBI: I believe, like other artworks there is room for everyone. Each has it's own space and
following. We have shown in the movie that 2D and 3D could be combined. There are styles that
work well with 2D and not 3D, as there are those that will only work with 3D.
We feel that 2D animation is classic. I mean how can you beat hand-drawn animation? I am always
in awe of 2D traditional animators and artists. For me it is the purest form of animation. Having said
that, we also appreciate CG and flash, but 2D will always be my first love. On Urduja, we have used
CG to complement the 2D in terms of effects. Some of the ships in the movie are also in 3D.
Q: It appears that your production has worked with legendary figure as "Urduja,"
and that other Filipino animations in the offing are taking supernatural creatures from
Filipino folklore. Does this indicate that Filipino animation is still looking for its own
stories or design?
MIMBI: Of course. We have many folklores, myths, legends to choose from. Not to mention our
local comics talent. There are also several styles we would like to achieve, I would love to create
animation using the lines of Coching for example, I don't know if this is feasible though. I don't
know if the artists now can draw the way he could, the way the masters did.
Hopefully, the film is accepted well so we can go on to other Filipino animated projects.
Q: In "Urduja," how much is based on historical account?
MIMBI:We have been inspired by the real Princess Urduja but ours is purely fictional.
Q: I hope you don't mind but would you say that
visualization of the characted Urduja closely
resembles Pocahontas?
MIMBI: Don't mind at all. There may be similarities but you see Pocahontas looks very Filipina.
We designed the physical Urduja to look like our ideal Filipina.
Q: What are 7toons future plans?
MIMBI: To produce more local content definitely, to penetrate the international market hopefully.
To produce more animation in whatever form, surely.
Q: Why should people watch "Urduja."?
MIMBI: Because it is a beautiful movie. As our AVP says, ito ay Pilipino sa isip, sa salita, at sa
GUMAWA. (Ed's translation: This is Filipino, in mind, in words, and in deed.)
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