As Moana gets ready to sail into your hearts this holiday season, Disney has released a new trailer and featurette to help increase the excitement. This animated film tells the story of a young girl named Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) who uses her navigational talents to set sail to a fabled island with the help of demi god Maui (voice by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson).
In the trailer, you’ll hear a new song Written and performed by Opetaia Foa‘i and Lin-Manuel Miranda entitled, “We Know the Way” which showcases the rich and vibrant voyaging life of Moana’s ancestors. In the featurette titled “The Way to Moana” you’ll learn more about the film via commentary from filmmakers, voice talent, songwriters, and key advisors from the Pacific Islands.
“It’s really amazing that Disney recognized the value of working with communities, people in various islands to help craft a story,” said Dionne Fonoti, Anthropologist and filmmaker, Samoa in the featurette. “I love the fact that our history is being celebrated. Our traditions are being showcased.”
Johnson, who is half Pacific Islander, can’t wait for audiences to learn more about his culture through the film. “With Disney’s Moana, we’re showcasing the Pacific Islands on screen in a really fantastic way,” he said in the featurette. “This is the opportunity to show my culture to the world. I really think they made something special.”
Moana opens in theaters on November 22. Watch the featurette and the new trailer below:
