
“Snow White” is the epitome of happiness; as perceived by the young girl named Lilet. It was her escape from the miserable life she was born in. It became her refuge. It became her.
Snow White struggled to survive on the streets of Manila after being pushed by her mother into prostitution. She led a life filled with drama, fear, confusion, hatred, and suspense. It was a very onerous existence for a young girl; likewise, a very difficult role to play if you want to do justice to the character Lilet, a.k.a. Snow White in the film “Lilet Never happened.“
She did it so well.
The Filipino child actress Sandy Talag, who played the lead role of Snow White, did it so well that she won an Outstanding Achievement in Acting award at the Oaxaca International Film Festival just last September 29 of this year. Credit is also due to the brainchild of the story and the directing prowess of Dutch Director Jacco Groen. To think that it’s her first lead role in a film, she must have worked really, really hard to portray something she had no idea of. She truly deserves a hats off!
Prior to Sandy Talag’s acting award, the film “Lilet Never happened” was also acclaimed as 2013’s Best Youth Film at the Copenhagen International Film Festival. Likewise, no further questions would perhaps be raised as to why it also garnered the Best Youth Film award at the Kristiansand International Youth Film Festival in Norway of the same year. It was also granted the Audience Award at the 16th Auburn Film Festival for Children and Young Adults which was held in Sydney, Australia, and was also chosen as Best Drama Script, Social Drama category at the AOL Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Shot on the streets of Manila, the winning film owe its recognition to the realistic performance of the whole cast, of course; with Sandy Talag as lead role (she is a Filipino child actress in Philippine movies), John Arcilla (multi-awarded actor), Marife Necesito and the Dutch actress Johanna Ter Steege.
Background of the Story
The Dutch-Filipino film “Lilet Never Happened” is based on a true story; a young maladjusted girl named Lilet who became a well-known child prostitute on the streets of Manila. The story delves on her struggles to survive on the streets, and her attempts to save her brother at the same time.
An International social worker named Claire attempts to pull her out of her misfortunes, but the strong-willed and yet misguided young girl always chose to deal with her predicament through her own view of survival.
Lilet’s story is truly a touching movie; not just because it deals with a contemporary social problem concerning children and child prostitution; not just because it has hard-piercing scenes guaranteed to attack the emotions — but also because of the astounding performance of Sandy Talag’s character, Snow White/Lilet.
Now, more than a fairy tale, Snow White has become a ‘Best Actress.’
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Lilet Never Happened has been shown in more than 20 countries. This film is expected to hit the screens in Manila in December.
The trailer:
The teaser:
It could be categorized as a Documentary film…..
but it’s NOT a documentary film…
How would you like it to be categorized Sir?
a biography film would be more fitting
It could be……
This makes me wanna watch more movies like this instead of those Wenn DeRamas films with no substance at all.
i waited about two hours in downloading this film but it didn’t play. fml. maybe i should wait for december instead.