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[1] Jumbo is an Indonesian cartoon about a spirited orphan boy named Don. The film has beaten the Disney film Frozen 2 to become Indonesia’s highest-grossing animated movie. It is a major boost for the country’s fledgling animation industry. As of mid-May, more than 9.6 million people had watched Jumbo locally.
[2] The film was released on March 31 and has been produced by Indonesian company Visinema Pictures. The story revolves around a bullied village boy who tries to stage a talent show. It has also become Southeast Asia’s most-watched animated feature, according to entertainment website Deadline. “This is an incredible milestone,” said Angga Dwimas Sasongko, Visinema Pictures’ founder and a film director. “That it could surpass Frozen 2 is not just about numbers, but also proof that Indonesians are proud and love home-grown stories.”
[3] Though smaller in scale, the success of Jumbo is similar to that of Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2. Ne Zha 2 beat Pixar’s 2024 hit Inside Out 2 to become the highest-grossing animated film globally. Many producers in Indonesia prefer to make live-action films – mostly horror. This is because they know such films are popular with audiences and are less labour intensive.
[4] Animated features are more of an unknown quantity, said Daryl Wilson, chairman of the Indonesian Animation Industry Association (IAIA). Jumbo’s success could boost Indonesia’s growing animation industry, especially as global studios are becoming more interested in the region and its talent.
[5] He added that Jumbo‘s 420 crew, including animators and engineers, had spent five years making the film. Ryan Adriandhy, Jumbo’s writer-director, said the success of Jumbo reflected the timing of its release – during the Eid school holidays. He said the film was also successful because the story appeals to all ages. “I realised this may open the eyes of producers, production houses and film creators that there is a very thirsty audience for content that people of all ages can enjoy,” he said.
[6] Film critic Eric Sasono noted that Jumbo’s success highlighted how Don’s struggle with self-doubt connected with audiences and emphasised the value of storytelling. “Jumbo‘s presence satiates the need for the right local story,” he said. With the film’s success, Visinema is looking at future productions featuring Don and his friends.
Source: Reuters, May 19
Questions
1. In paragraph 2, What does Don attempt to do in the movie?
2. Based on paragraph 3, what do Jumbo and Ne Zha 2 have in common?
3. Many people in Indonesia enjoy watching …, according to paragraph 3.
A. romance films
B. sci-fi shows
C. documentaries
D. horror films
4. Which word can replace “fledgling” in paragraph 4?
A. developing
B. dying
C. mature
D. traditional
5. According to paragraph 5, why is Jumbo so successful in Indonesia?
6. Rewrite the following sentences starting with the words provided. (3 marks)
(i) Jumbo had been watched by more than 9.6 million people as of mid-May.
More than
(ii) Ryan Adriandhy wrote and directed Jumbo.
Jumbo was
(i) Don’s ability to conquer his self-doubt resonated with audiences.
Audiences resonated
Answers
1. He tries to stage a talent show.
2. both films were very successful and earned more money than a popular animated film from another country in its own region.
3. D
4. A
5. the timing of its release, which was during the Eid school holidays, as well as the story’s broad appeal
6. (i) More than 9.6 million people had watched Jumbo as of mid-May; (ii) Jumbo was written and directed by Ryan Adriandhy; (iii) Audiences resonated with Don’s ability to conquer his self-doubt.
