First AI-assisted local animated film pushes for space amid Hollywood dominance

Filipino animated musical film “Plump Blossom” is embracing artificial intelligence as a tool for filmmaking even as its creators face criticism over its use of AI and the story’s Chinese setting.

Described by its makers as the first locally produced full-length animated feature to openly incorporate AI-assisted tools into its production workflow, “Plump Blossom” is set to open in local theaters on Sept. 23.

Writer-director-producer Rossana Hwang stressed that while AI was used in creating the film, much of the work remained human-driven.

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“Hybrid siya. Because, from the very beginning, it was human. The storytelling was human. The writing was human. And then, we just directed the AI,” Hwang told select reporters during a mini press conference on Saturday, Aug 22, in Quezon City. 

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Hwang noted that the production also opted to use human voice actors instead of AI-generated voices.

“Pwede naman mag-AI voices. Pero ayaw namin. Gusto namin human,” she said, adding that editing was also done by people.

Hwang shared that she had wanted to make the film since 2015, but an industry expert told her that producing it could cost around P50 million—a budget she could not afford.

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She eventually reworked the project and collaborated with fresh graduates, using AI-assisted tools to help bring the animation to life. She said the approach reduced the production cost by about 50%.

“You have to rethink your career, your path,” she said. “Yung AI, talagang darating. Gusto mo, ayaw mo. But you can adapt and tango with AI. Don’t let AI get you down.”

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While Hwang used AI for this project, she explained that she drew a distinction between AI-assisted animation and live-action filmmaking.

“Kung talaga live action ang movie, dapat artista talaga. I don’t like the looks of it. Pero for the animation, I think AI is okay,” she said.

Lead voice actor Candice Tan, who voices Princess Ruo Hua, agreed that AI should be viewed as a tool rather than a replacement for human creativity.

“To me, it should be used as a tool. Like a stepping stone,” Tan said. “The world has to evolve.”

Tan, who is pure Chinese, but born and raised in the Philippines, recently made headlines as the local English interpreter of Chinese actress Zhang Yingfei, the star behind Linda Walker in C-drama “The Heiress Who Won With Brains,” who visited the country last May.

‘It’s not pro-China’

Aside from criticism of its use of AI, “Plump Blossom” has also faced questions over its Chinese setting, particularly amid ongoing tensions between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea.

Hwang pushed back against suggestions that the film promotes China or is “pro-Chinese.”

“I’m not pro-Chinese or anything. This is a princess movie. The whole focus was on the princess,” she said.

Set in the fictional Huang Dynasty of ancient China, “Plump Blossom” follows Princess Ruo Hua, a food-loving princess who disguises herself as a palace maid to pursue her passion for cooking.

The Princess eventually encounters wounded General Jian, whom she secretly nurses back to health. When war threatens the kingdom, she is banished to the Cold Palace after defying palace protocol but chooses to remain silent to protect her father, the general and the kingdom.

Hwang said the film also aims to introduce audiences to Chinese imperial customs and practices from centuries ago while promoting body positivity.

“One of the things that you will be enlightened about is that it’s not bad to be plus-size or fat,” she said.

Tan, meanwhile, said the film’s setting should not limit Filipino filmmakers from telling stories beyond their own culture.

“Americans, they can do ‘Moana,’ they can do China, they can do Colombia for ‘Encanto.’” she said. “We can also do that, we don’t have to always do ‘yung Filipinos lang, we can do other animations in other countries.”

Fighting for a place in cinemas

The film is also entering theaters at a time when local productions continue to compete for limited screens against major Hollywood releases.

Hwang said “Plump Blossom” had been ready as early as March, but she was advised not to schedule it against major Hollywood titles.

The producer cited “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man” as examples of films that made it difficult for an independent local production to secure screens. She also said “Forgotten Island” was not yet part of the lineup when she initially planned the film’s release.

Now, both “Plump Blossom” and Dreamworks Animation’s “Forgotten Island” starring Liza Soberano, H.E.R, and Lea Salonga, among others, are opening in local cinemas on Sept. 23.

“I’m just managing my expectation,” Hwang said, adding that she had approached banks, organizations and members of the Chinese community in an effort to find support for the film.

Hwang also spoke about experiencing rejection and discrimination as an independent filmmaker.

“Nobody’s giving me the break because I’m independent, I’m old, and I’m all these things,” she said. “They haven’t watched the movie, but they already judged me. But I’m very proud of my work. I’m very proud of the stories.”

Tan, meanwhile, said she is not overly concerned about how the film will perform against other releases.

“What I want is that we were able to produce a very nice story, a very nice film. I personally love it,” she said.

“For me, no matter what the outcome, it’s okay. As long as I’m happy that we were able to put our 100% into this film and were able to make this beautiful story into reality through the animation and music. Chill lang ako,” added the voice actress.

Produced by Kapitana Entertainment Media, “Plump Blossom” is an English-language animated musical featuring the voices of Tan, Don Puno, Gutch Gutierrez, Chad Williams, Thunderson Tan, Yeng Her and Audie Gemora.

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The film features an original soundtrack inspired by Chinese musical traditions, theatrical influences and Chinese opera. /edv