Rom-com director Richard Curtis, co-founder of Comic Relief, has revealed that a hungry little boy inspired his powerful new short film for the charity. The film, titled Let's Put Hunger to Bed, is narrated by actress Jodie Whittaker and draws on real experiences from families across the UK, using the warmth of a bedtime story to explore the reality of parents struggling daily to feed their children.
A Heartbreaking Encounter
Curtis recounted meeting a young boy whose family was struggling with food insecurity. The boy told Curtis that he would push his stomach in at night to make it smaller, believing it would make him less hungry. 'He thought he was really onto something. And that was so guileless. So, I thought it would be lovely to do this poem from a kid’s point of view,' Curtis said.
The Poem and Narration
The poem poignantly interweaves titles of classic children’s books like The Hungry Caterpillar, with one line directly inspired by the boy's story. Curtis praised Whittaker's narration, saying, 'Jodie’s such a wonderful actress. I always believe what she says. She reads the poem like a mum - and a child, too.'
Shocking New Research
Alongside the film, new research reveals that more than one in six parents in the UK have put their child to bed hungry or without enough food at least once a week over the past year. Many parents skip meals themselves to protect their children. Curtis expressed dismay at the shame some families feel when seeking help, noting that 'so many things in our society have to do with people feeling shame, otherness.'
Comic Relief's Enduring Legacy
Curtis co-founded Comic Relief 40 years ago and is delighted that it continues to attract comedians. He recalled the early days with Billy Connolly, Kate Bush, and Lenny Henry, and noted that this year's event featured the Amandaland crew and Catherine Tate as Nan. Curtis believes comedy is a great unifier, allowing people from different situations to laugh at the same jokes.
Changing Focus
Curtis observed that while Comic Relief was initially seen as an international charity, hunger in the UK, particularly in the north of England, is now a real issue. 'We’ve always given money to the UK. But we used to be thought of more as a charity that was international,' he said.
Partnership with Sainsbury's
The new film marks the beginning of a new phase in Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s partnership, which will donate millions of meals to families and children across the UK. For more information and to donate, visit comicrelief.com/partners/sainsburys.
