Benedict Mique, the writer and director of “Lolo & The Kid,” the number one Netflix movie in the Philippines, has a new film showing in cinemas in September.

Entitled “Maple Leaf Dreams,” it features rising stars Kira Balinger and LA Santos as a couple who try their luck in Canada to give their respective families a better life. 

Kira plays Molly, who wants to build a home for her parents and sister and uplift them from hardship, whereas LA portrays Macky, a restaurant manager in the Philippines who wants a more stable and fulfilling career. 

The movie marks the first time that LA and Kira are headlining a movie. As preparation, Kira and LA are immersed in the working environment of blue-collar workers. They spent several days doing the actual tasks assigned to workers in a junk shop, fast food restaurant, office, and grocery.

Acclaimed stars Snooky Serna, Ricky Davao, and Joey Marquez are also in the film’s cast.

“Maple Leaf Dreams” is produced by 7K Entertainment, Lonewolf Films, and Star Magic and distributed by Quantum Films.

With this newest project, Direk Benedict shows again that he knows how to tug at moviegoers’ emotions while also giving them stories that reveal the heart of the Filipino.

Some scenes of “Maple Leaf Dreams” have dropped on the 7K Sounds social media pages, and netizens have expressed that these have made them emotional.  One is a scene where Molly asks permission from her family to work in Canada, but her mother (played by Snooky) is against the idea. Molly’s father, played by Joey Marquez, on the other hand, surprises Molly by giving her not just his blessing but every penny he has.

“Teaser pa lang grabe yung patak ng luha ko,” Clarissa Caraan wrote in the comment section.

Je Ly Ca agreed, “Tumulo ang luha ko sa teaser pa lang. Ano pa kaya kung buong movie na?”

“Tumulo na lang talaga ang luha ko,” echoed Keithlene Joy Alonzo Salvador. Referring to the father’s act of sacrifice, Keithlene added, “Sana ganyan ang mindset ng lahat ng tatay.”

To know the real sentiments of Pinoys, Direk Benedict stayed in Canada for months to interview kababayans and observe their lives. Direk Benedict lived the life of a Pinoy in Canada as he took his son to school, dined in Filipino-owned restaurants, and chatted with members of Filipino communities to hear their stories that ranged from funny to interesting and sad. He found himself appreciating the simple things like the maple leaf, which is the symbol of Canada.

'“Life in Canada can be challenging, but it can also be happy,” said Direk Benedict.

“Maple Leaf Dreams” is one of the finalists of the Sinag Maynila Film Festival that will run from Sept. 4-8, 2024. The movie will have its wide theatrical release beginning Sept. 25.

For updates, follow the 7K Sounds social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.