When a story is written from the heart, audiences will find out.
That was the undeniable pull of Lolo and the Kid, the Netflix tearjerker that struck an emotional chord with viewers around the world and quickly became one of the streaming platform’s most talked-about Filipino films in 2024. Its success was rooted in something simple yet not always easily achieved — sincerity. It is a work of heart.
This 2026, Benedict Mique is preparing to share another deeply personal story.
The highly-acclaimed writer, director, and producer behind Lonewolf Films has spent nearly three decades building a career on stories that explore different issues. Whether through drama, romance, or suspense, Direk Benedict has always gravitated toward narratives that create an emotional appeal. an emotional impact. His latest film, Little Hope, appears all set to do that again.
But before conversations turned to the film itself, one question lingered in the room during the pictorial visit. Was this the same project connected to his much-publicized disappointment over not being chosen for the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) grant? Caught by surprise, Direk Benedict covered his mouth and laughed before clarifying.
“Actually this is not the project kasi this is we knew we were gonna do this na, eh. It’s not the FDCP project. It was supposed to be produced by Tuko, ‘yung nag-produce ng Quezon, ng Heneral Luna. They were supposed to produce this pero hindi natuloy kasi nga nagkaroon ng pandemic, etcetera. Actually, that script was the first project that we’re going to do dapat sa Netflix but I think Netflix got afraid that’s why they did Lolo and the Kid.”
The project that did not receive support from the FDCP remains close to his heart. For Direk, it was an important story as it addressed mental health, suicide, and the conversations he believes society can no longer afford to avoid. “We really wanted it because it’s a passion project. Medyo naapektuhan lang kami. Naapektuhan lang ako na parang hindi ba importante ‘to? Doesn’t this deserve the money of the government? Kasi ‘di ba ang ganda nung gustong sabihin, eh. It’s about mental illness. It’s about ‘yun, saving lives. So, medyo masakit lang pero sabi ko nga eh kahit anong mangyari lahat naman ng project ko especially that project kahit anong mangyari gagawin ko ‘yun maski cellphone na lang gamitin ko,” the director passionately explained.
The setback, however, only strengthened his resolve. “Nag-move on na ako kasi I use those kinds of situations to fire you up. Gagawin ko ’to kahit anong mangyari,” he explained. Looking back, he still believes in the power of that film’s message.
“It’s a movie about death that will save lives. ‘Yun ‘yung pitch noon, parang may gaganda pa ba doon?,” he asked the rhetorical question with confidence.
After consulting with psychologists during development, Direk Benedict learned something. Suicide, experts said, has become a silent pandemic affecting not only the Philippines but the whole world.“So, it’s really a matter that needs to be discussed.”
Ironically, death also finds its way into Little Hope, though through a very different lens. Direk Benedict said, “Actually, ‘yung segue dito sa movie na ‘to, it’s also about death pero more importantly, it’s about love.” The story is about a young girl battling cancer, portrayed by newcomer Cailey Magno. Direk explained,
“Actually, in short lang, this is about a child na may cancer na wala na rin kasi ‘yung nanay niya, she’s looking for someone na makakasama ng tatay niya ‘pag namatay na siya.”
The premise is heartbreaking. It’s not the death that brings tears, but the kind of love a child has for her father.
“Ako mismo when I was writing it, ilang beses akong umiiyak eh,” the writer-director said,”Parang alam mo ’yun, sinusulat ko pa lang, umiiyak ka na eh.”
During his first meeting with his lead stars, it became clear he wasn’t alone. “Actually, ang nakakatuwa, when we first met, pinitch namin kay Pepe [Herrera]. Dun pa lang sa kuwento, pati ako naiiyak, pati si Yassi [Pressman] at Pepe, naiiyak. So, sa kuwento pa lang nakakaiyak na. Then when we wrote the script, ‘yun ako ilang beses umiyak and most of the staff, the stars na nakabasa, naiiyak sila,” Direk Benedict shared, ‘Yun siguro, there’s beauty in love and death.”
That emotional response was shared by co-producer Yassi Pressman, who has expanded her role in the industry beyond acting and into producing.
She said, “Very heart warming, heart wrenching. Sana po mapamahal sa inyo ang aming baby Cailey. Ito po ang kanyang first movie. So we’re very excited. Out of the 65 po na mga nag-audition po na mga bata, siya po yung nag-excel kasi ang galing-galing po ni baby.” Yassi raved about their child star.
For Yassi, the script immediately made an impact.
“I can tell you po na parang this is a very heartwarming film of a kid struggling po with cancer. Iyak po ako nang iyak habang binabasa ko po yung script. This morning nag-scriptreading din po kami and nakakaano talaga nakakahabag ng puso kasi she’s very, very hopeful despite all of the challenges,” the actress and co-producer said.
Hope, in fact, may be the film’s defining quality. When Yassi described Little Hope as inspirational rather than simply dramatic, Direk Benedict agreed.
“Actually, it is inspirational. Maganda ‘yung term na inspirational kasi parang it pushes you na sulitin time niyo sa mga taong mahal ninyo,” Direk explained and reminded. The story, according to the director and producer, is grounded in research and consultations with medical experts, who offered insights into how children facing life-threatening illnesses often think less about themselves and more about the loved ones they may leave behind. Direk said, “Based on research ha, kasi we have a consultant na doctor, ang sabi niya ’yung bata daw, ganon. Hindi nila iniisip ’yung sila, ang iniisip nila ‘Paano po si mommy? Paano si daddy? Paano si ganito?’
For Direk, Little Hope is about cherishing the people who matter while there is still time. He firmly said, “Ito ‘yung pelikula na pagkatapos mapanood gusto mong yakapin ‘yung anak mo, yung mahal mo sa buhay. That’s the that’s the message, eh. Parang we have a very short time dito sa mundo na if you have someone, sulitin mo na.”
Then, after a brief pause, he offered perhaps the simplest description of all. Direk stated, “This is parang beautiful pain. It’s painful but it’s beautiful.”
Yassi shares the same confidence in the project and in the team behind it. She raved, “Very, very lucky na Lonewolf is our co-producer din po. Alam na po nilang lahat ‘yan, ang tagal na po nila Direk sa industriya. It’s actually not so hard to set it up. Ang kuwento na ginawa ni Direk sobrang ganda. Ang galing-galing po ng cast!”
Like Lolo and the Kid, Little Hope is built on heart. And beneath all the tears lies something more lasting — the truth that even in stories about loss and grief, love remains the best reprieve.
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