The Little Things

The Little Things is the most moving documentary I have seen in years. Thomas Griffiths’ film telling the story of Derian House children’s hospice in Chorley and the families it has helped is incredibly emotional, giving audiences a truthful look at heartbreaking family stories that may be difficult for some viewers – but also managing to beautifully capture the pure good of hospice care and those who commit themselves to it, and how they make places like Derian House a haven for those who need them.

The film features interviews from staff, parents and children at the hospice, who explain their backgrounds and what role Derian has played in their lives. Whilst heartbreaking, particularly when discussing loss of a child’s life, so much of the film is instead focused on happier times – spent making friends or playing in the site’s many welcoming facilities. There is not a traditional narrative structure of sorts, although some of the most difficult realities are weighted towards the film’s conclusion.

The film is visually fantastic and features an impressive score from Lucas Pemberton. A key theme of the documentary is that hospices are not places to fear and that stigmas around them should be removed, and the vibrancy with which Griffiths presents the site helps support such a notion. For many viewers who may never have seen the inside of one, it might be surprising to experience how friendly of an environment it seems. Other scenes set in locations such as Formby Beach furthers this theme, demonstrating that hospice care includes excitement and entertainment as well.

Tears are as good as guaranteed through interviews with the parents whose children have been cared for by Derian. Griffiths allows them to tell their and their children’s stories truthfully, honestly and with raw emotion – clearly placing them in a safe environment to talk without feeling the need to filter or rush. The interviews range from devastating accounts of child loss, to beautiful stories of happier times – with others that are genuinely insightful, such as patron of the charity Kiki Deville’s or volunteer and parent Ben’s, who both discuss how emotional reactions to death can present in unexpected ways like dark humour. Whilst the tragedy of many of the stories is never lost sight of, being able to find a way back to a happier place is a recurrent theme throughout, and the importance of Derian House in allowing this to happen is never lost either.

The love and care with which The Little Things was made mean this film is a powerful success when it comes to raising awareness and respect for Derian House, other hospices and the critical role they play. Whilst there will be some who may be hesitant due to some of the more upsetting scenes, I felt like a better person for having watched the film. The stories it includes are inspiring, raw, honest and insightful – and presented logically and purposefully, not just to make viewers well up. Technically accomplished and emotionally masterful, it deserves enormous credit.