Bennett headlines film premiere

Yvonne Bennett, left, poses for a photo with first lady Diann Torres yesterday before the premiere of the film Love, Kennedy, where Bennett plays a supporting role. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Yvonne Bennett made a triumphant return to Saipan and headlined the premiere of the film Love, Kennedy last Sunday at the Regal Cinemas in San Jose.

Bennett, who plays the supporting character of Lexi Velasquez in the film, has returned home for the film’s local premiere.

It took two years of acting classes, modelling classes, and more before landing the role “It was a lot of training, auditions, modelling classes, a lot of prep work that I had been doing,” she said.

The daughter of Ambrose and Lillian was invited to audition for her role by a director she worked with in an acting workshop.

“He was really impressed with my work and he invited me to the audition…Two weeks later I heard that I got the part,” said Bennett.

Love, Kennedy is a film based on the life of Kennedy Hansen, who fell ill and died from Battens disease.

Bennett feels honored that her first film turned out to be one based on a brave and humble family. “They were so brave to just allow the world to see the story of Kennedy… she’s an inspiration to me as well,” she said. “I’ve always been drawn to true stories and for it to be one of my first films, I just couldn’t have asked for a better first project for myself.”

According to her, one of the biggest challenges she faced on set was when she was required to film all her heavier, emotional scenes all at once. “Just having to bring the emotions and do justice for the film, that was one of the most challenging but also the most rewarding,” she said.

Aside from Love, Kennedy, Bennett has starred in commercials, training videos for the veteran’s hospital, and will soon take on a supporting role in an upcoming horror film, Big Foot on Mill Creek; Dead End.

Bennett was born in Guam, but raised on Saipan. She spent her primary and her teen years on Saipan before leaving for Boise, Idaho, and then Utah.

According to her, being back home feels like nothing has changed. “It’s like I never left because it just picks up from where I was last time…it makes me even more humble and grounded,” she said.

The Women’s Affair Office of the Governor’s Office and the Lady Diann Torres Foundation funded Bennett’s trip to Saipan.

According to First Lady Diann Torres, they wanted to inspire other individuals on island to dream big and pursue those dreams. “Even from a little island…we can make it big out there,” she said.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said it is important to emphasize the talent that comes from the islands. “When you have success like this outside [Saipan], you want to emphasize it and you want to embrace it and nothing beats that than bringing them back home,” he said. “I want her to know that even if the CNMI is small, we’re still here and are supporting her no matter what.”

Many who watched Love, Kennedy yesterday were moved to tears.

According to Mariana Gramlich, the movie was inspiring and ideal for the holidays.

Another moviegoer, Serena Santos, said the movie was definitely a tearjerker.

Bennett’s mother and father could not be more proud of their daughter.

“I am over excited, I am overwhelmed, and I am proud,” said Lillian, Bennett’s mother.

“I am not really surprised. We always encourage them to pursue their dreams and that’s what she has been doing,” said Ambrose, Bennett’s father.

Bennett’s mother also said she was thankful for the foundations that helped bring her daughter home after five years.