Animated Indonesian film Jumbo smashing records with B265mn box office

An Indonesian animated movie is smashing regional box-office records and could be set for wider success as it prepares to open beyond the Southeast Asian archipelago's silver screens.

- BAPTISTE ANSE

Jumbo — a film based on the adventures of main character Don, a large orphaned Indonesian boy facing bullying at school — last month became the highest-grossing Southeast Asian animated film, raking in more than US$8 million (265 million baht).

Released at the end of March to coincide with the Eid holidays after the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, the movie has hit 8 million ticket sales, the third highest in Indonesian cinema history, according to Film Indonesia.

The film explores “what we've lost in life and the strength we need to overcome it”, director Ryan Adriandhy Halim said.