Direk Benedict Mique finds his most emotional story yet in ‘Little Hope’
Director-screenwriter-producer Benedict Mique is adding “Little Hope” to his collection of film narratives that tackle family dynamics and touch the heart.
In a group chat with him, one could gather that the movie explores a child’s love for a parent and the former’s innocent and selfless view on life’s unexpected turns and inevitable realities.
“This is about a child who has (and suffers from) cancer, na wala na rin kasi ang nanay niya (and whose mother is no longer around),” said the director of the Netflix hit “Lolo and the Kid” about his upcoming film’s premise.
“She’s looking for someone na makakasama ng tatay (niya) ‘pag namatay na siya (who will be with her dad when she is gone).”
The idea might sound simple and straightforward to some, but it definitely pulls at someone’s heartstring. It’s a truth that is hard to swallow from the one who is about to leave and the other who will be left behind.
“When I was writing it, ilang beses akong umiiyak (I cried several times),” said Benedict. “Sinusulat mo pa lang, umiiyak ka na.”
“Little Hope” stars Pepe Herrera as the father, newcomer Cailey Magno, the child, and Yassi Pressman as the possible woman whom the child can entrust her dad to. Yassi is also taking on the co-producer role in “Little Hope” with the director’s production outfit Lonewolf Films.
Direk Benedict recalled that when he pitched it to Pepe, the actor also cried. He had the same heartwarming reaction from most members of the production staff and those, including Yassi, who got the chance to read the script.
“Siguro (perhaps), there’s beauty in love and death,” shared the director. “Ito yung pelikula na kapag natapos mong mapanood, gusto mong yakapin ang anak mo, yung mahal mo sa buhay (it’s the kind of movie that you want to embrace your child and loved ones after watching). That’s the message, it’s like we have a very short time, ‘di ba?, dito sa mundo (here on Earth). If you love someone, sulitin mo na (enjoy every bit of it).”
Aside from those as takeaways moviegoers and film enthusiasts may take, “Little Hope” will offer one some space to reflect on this: some beautiful things also entail some painful realities.
“(It) is inspirational, ayun nga parang it pushes you to (make the most of your time with the people who are dear to you). Minsan hindi mo alam, eh, na maikli pala ang oras niyo (Sometimes, we don’t know how much time we have),” said the director.
The plotline also shows that the child knows her days are numbered from the beginning. So, again, she’s on a mission to find someone who will take care of her dad.
“Nung nalaman nya na (when she has learned that) she has cancer, (she knows that) she might die. (But) she’s fighting… ang noble nung bata (the child is noble),” said direk Benedict. “Kasi alam nyang mamamatay siya. Iniisip niya paano ang papa ko? (with that, she’s thinking of her dad’s plight in the future).”
According to research, kids who are with terminal illnesses think of what’s ahead for their parents or the kind of life the guardians may lead, said the director.
To bring realism to the portrayal, “Little Hope” had a medical doctor as a consultant.
“Kasi ‘pag bata ka (when you’re a child), selfless ka (you’re selfless)… I think napaka-noble nung character (the character is very noble),” shared Benedict.
In life, it’s usually the parent who departs first and not the child that he or she nurtures and dreams of having a better future. Although leaving this world is inevitable, “Little Hope” may also post this question: which “departing” between the parent and the child is more painful?
The movie is an inspirational family story, whose feel can be compared to “Miracle in Cell No. 7” and “Rewind,” shared direk Benedict.
As for the possible ending of “Little Hope,” direk Benedict said, “You have to wait for it. You have to watch it.”
And one can’t wait to see the story of “Little Hope” unfold in cinemas or in a streaming platform.
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