Surviving on the streets of Manila
The film Lilet Never Happened is a character driven story about Lilet, a maladjusted Filipino street-girl, struggling to survive on the streets of Manila. International social worker Claire tries to safe her but this hard headed, traumatized girl thinks she can take her life in her own hands. Though Lilet gets many opportunities to quit, she stubbornly chooses the hard way. The film is based on interviews with Lilet, a little girl, who became Manila’s most famous child prostitute.
The film is aiming for a broad arthouse audience. Even though the story is shown through the point of view of Filipino children, the film is very accessible. A clear and engaging storyline is combined with humor and hard hitting scenes, which are alternated with high pace. Style-wise the film could be compared to films like City of God and Slumdog Millionaire.