“Nowhere Special” Trailer: James Norton Gives a Powerful Performance as a Single Dad with Terminal Cancer (Exclusive)

"This film will encourage you to go home and hug your loved ones that little bit tighter, for that little bit longer," Norton exclusively tells PEOPLE

A single father is forced into a heartbreaking situation in the moving new film Nowhere Special — and PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at its trailer.

Little Women star James Norton stars as John, a window cleaner who has dedicated his life to raising his 4-year-old son, Michael (Daniel Lamont), whose mother abandoned him. But once John is diagnosed with terminal cancer and a prognosis of only a few more months left to live, he searches for a new family for his son ahead of his passing.

"Initially certain of what he is looking for in the perfect family for his son's future, John gradually becomes overcome with doubt, questioning his own illusions of control and the very notion of what constitutes the ideal family," reads the film's official synopsis.

The upcoming movie was inspired by a real adoption case, writer-director Uberto Pasolini (Still Life) reveals.

"When I read the newspaper article that inspired the film, I was struck by how the quest for a new family for his child was proof of a truly profound self-effacing love, and how that quest must have been both heart wrenching and enormously difficult," Pasolini exclusively tells PEOPLE.

"As a father myself, I tried to imagine what that journey must have been like, what I would have done in his place, and how much strength I would have derived from the love of my child," adds Pasolini. "Parenthood has certainly been the most challenging experience of my life, and I felt compelled to explore it in such a moving and life-affirming example."

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"Everyone knows what it is to confront death," Norton, 38, exclusively tells PEOPLE of the film. "We all have to do it all the time, either our own or the death of those we love."

"This film is an opportunity to sit with those big questions. It's a quiet meditation on death and all the pain and beauty that comes with it," says Norton.

"This film will encourage you to go home and hug your loved ones that little bit tighter, for that little bit longer," the actor says of what he hopes audiences will take from the film. "What a wonderful thing to take from a film."

Meanwhile, Pasolini says he believes "audiences will recognize the honesty of an extraordinary true story and will be reminded of the best of humanity and the power of love."

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Pasolini also tells PEOPLE how much of a "blessing" it was to work with Norton and Lamont, who was 4 years old at the time of filming. "James proved to be not only an enormously talented and sensitive actor, but also a truly generous partner, both for myself and young Daniel, who was, as I had wished for the young boy playing Michael, at his very first acting experience," shares Pasolini.

"And Daniel himself was a joy for all of us on the set, bringing everyday unending energy, humour, charm," he adds. "A star was born."

Norton also commends his young costar's performance, telling PEOPLE, "He gave a beautiful performance and I was lucky enough to have a front row seat."

"The boy is a delight! And a beautiful actor," says Norton. "All one can hope for when looking at your scene partner is that they give you something honest and heartfelt to react to. Daniel was always in the moment, never distracted, always professional, always present."

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Alongside Norton and Lamont, Nowhere Special also stars Carol Moore, Valene Kane, Keith McErlean and Siobhán McSweeney.

Nowhere Special is in theaters April 26.

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