STARS ALIGN TO CREATE MOVING SOUNDTRACK FOR “MOANA”

Press release

With film credits like “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin” under their belts, filmmakers John Musker and Ron Clements clearly enjoy telling stories with music. Their lates film, Walt Disney Animation Studios' “Moana” is no exception.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Auli'i Cravalho, and Dwayne Johnson

The diverse and dynamic team behind the film’s inspired music includes Tony®-, Emmy®- and Grammy®-winning lyricist/composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who counts among his credits Broadway’s Pulitzer Prize-winning and multiple Tony-winning “Hamilton” and the Tony-winning “In the Heights.”

“I really related to Moana in a lot of ways,” says Miranda, who was “transported” by the Clement-Musker-helmed feature “The Little Mermaid” at age 9. “She has a family that she loves, an island that she loves, but there’s a voice inside that’s calling. The idea of quieting life enough so that you can hear that inner voice was something really worth writing about for me because I think it’s so important.”

Three-time Grammy®-winning composer Mark Mancina created memorable scores for films like “Speed,” “Tarzan” and the Oscar®-winning “Training Day,” and also co-wrote songs, produced and arranged the score for Broadway’s musical production of “The Lion King.”

Opetaia Foa‘i, the founder and lead singer of Te Vaka, is a winner of numerous world music awards, including the Senior Pacific Artist award for his contribution to Pacific music.

Photo credit: Walt Disney Pictures

The soundtrack features seven original songs, plus two reprises, as well as two end-credit versions of songs from the film. Written and performed by Foa‘i and Miranda, “We Know the Way” showcases the rich and vibrant voyaging life of Moana’s ancestors. “After meeting with [directors] John and Ron in 2013, I actually started writing that song on the flight home,” says Foa‘i. “It came quite naturally. Then Lin added his beautiful lyrics and it just came to life.”

“How Far I’ll Go” is Moana’s song. “It’s intimidating to write an ‘I want’ song for a Disney animated movie,” says Miranda. “You think of Ariel with ‘Part of Your World’ or ‘Reflection’ from ‘Mulan.’ This is Moana’s chance to say for herself how she feels and where she belongs.”

“Where You Are” is written by Miranda, Foa‘i and Mancina and performed by Christopher Jackson, Rachel House, Nicole Scherzinger, Auli‘i Cravalho and Louise Bush. The song introduces the audience to Moana’s village and the key players.

Written by Miranda and performed by Dwayne Johnson, “You’re Welcome” showcases the colorful personality of Maui. “I just thought that it would be really fun to hear The Rock sing ‘You’re welcome for my existence. You’re welcome that you get to meet me,’” says Miranda. “Dwayne has such incredible charm and he totally delivers the character’s confidence and cockiness.”

Jemaine Clement was tapped for “Shiny,” a song written by Miranda and Mancina that spotlights Tamatoa, the 50-foot crab with trust issues. “Disney has some great villains like Jafar, Scar, Cruella and Ursula,” says Miranda. “Tamatoa is mean and ostentatious, so we really wanted to create the anti-lesson of the movie. If Moana’s journey is listening to her inner voice, Tamatoa is there to say, ‘It doesn’t matter. Who cares? It’s really about how you look.’ He’s from the deepest, darkest part of the sea and feels his armor is important. You got to be shiny.

“I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)” was written by Miranda, Mancina and Foa‘i and performed by Rachel House and Cravalho. “The song marks a really important moment in the film when Moana is doubting her decision to take on this huge challenge,” says MacDougall.

With music by Foa‘i, Miranda and Mancina, and lyrics by Foa‘i and Miranda, “Know Who You Are” is performed by Auli'i Cravalho, Vai Mahina, Olivia Foa‘i, Foa‘i and Matthew Ineleo. The song is heard late in the film as Moana’s journey nears its culmination.

Opening across the Philippines on Nov. 30, Moana is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.phand use the hashtag #MoanaPH.

RELEASE OF DISNEY’S “MOANA” THEME SONG IN SOUTHEAST ASIA LOCAL LANGUAGES

Press release

11th November 2016, Singapore – Disney’s latest animation title, Moana, will feature the lead song, “How Far I’ll Go” and the track will be adapted into five Southeast Asia local languages – Bahasa Indonesian, Bahasa Melayu, Thai, Vietnamese and English. 

Five singers from Southeast Asia, namely Janella Salvador from the Philippines, Maudy Ayunda from Indonesia, AydaJebat from Malaysia, Myra Molloy from Thailand and MinhNhu from Vietnam were selected to cover the song in each of their local languages. 

Launch dates of the local version of the music videos as follow:

•           9th November - Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesia), Bahasa Melayu (Malaysia) and 

Vietnamese (Vietnam) 

•           15th November -             Thai (Thailand) 

•           18th November -             English (Philippines) 

All five singers performed the song together for the first time at the Disney’s Moana press junket held in Singapore on 8th November and also present at the event were Auli’ICravalho (voice of Moana), OsnatShurer (Producer), Roger Lee (Singaporean Lighting Artist) and Griselda Sastrawinata (Indonesian Visual Development Artist). 

Alessia Cara’s version of the song is out now, and the Southeast Asia local languages to be released on all digital music services on 18th November. 

 

Photo courtesy of Disney Pictures

Disney’s Moana opens in cinemas across the Philippines on Nov. 30, 2016.

About Disney’s Moana

For centuries, the greatest sailors in the world masterfully navigated the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, 3,000 years ago, their voyages stopped for a millennium – and no one knows exactly why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people. Inexplicably drawn to the ocean, Moana (voice of AuliʻiCravalho) convinces the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) to join her mission, and he reluctantly helps her become a wayfinder like her ancestors who sailed before her. Together, they voyage across the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills her quest and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), produced by OsnatShurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and OpetaiaFoa‘i, “Moana” sails into theaters in the Philippines on Nov. 30, 2016.  For more information, visit http://www.disney.sg/, like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #MoanaPH. 

JANELLA 'S MUSIC VIDEO OF “MOANA” SONG “HOW FAR I'LL GO”

Press release

Walt Disney Studios Southeast Asia has chosen fast-rising, multi-talented star Janella Salvador to sing and appear in the music video of “How Far I'll Go,” the lead song from Walt Disney Animation Studios' 56th animated feature “Moana.”

“How Far I'll Go” is one of seven original songs from the “Moana” soundtrack and is written by the Tony Award-winning “Hamilton” composer Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The inspirational song boasts a soaring chorus and lyrics that echo the film’s plot of a young woman who leaves her South Pacific island to restore her people’s ancient role as master voyagers.

The Philippines localized music video aims to deliver the inspirational and positive message of “Moana”, which is to have courage, determination and compassion, while keeping a sense of adventure and a never-say-die attitude.

This local adaptation is in line with the studio’s approach to dream, create and celebrate the most magical stories and adventures, each woven around a relatable, empowered local idol who delights everyone and especially inspires girls to realize their full potential.

Janella is one of five singers from Southeast Asia, namely Maudy Ayunda from Indonesia, AydaJebat from Malaysia, Myra Molloy from Thailand and MinhNhu from Vietnam, who were selected to cover the song in each of their local languages.

About Disney’s Moana

For centuries, the greatest sailors in the world masterfully navigated the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, 3,000 years ago, their voyages stopped for a millennium – and no one knows exactly why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people. Inexplicably drawn to the ocean, Moana (voice of AuliʻiCravalho) convinces the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) to join her mission, and he reluctantly helps her become a wayfinder like her ancestors who sailed before her. Together, they voyage across the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills her quest and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), produced by OsnatShurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and OpetaiaFoa‘i, “Moana” sails into theaters in the Philippines on Nov. 30, 2016. For more information, visit http://www.disney.ph/, like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #MoanaPH.