Open Road Films will release Little Boy in theaters nationwide April 24, 2015. Little Boy is a powerful and moving film about a little boy who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring his dad home from World War II alive. The heartwarming story reveals the indescribable love a little boy has for his father and the love a father has for his son. Set in the 1940s, Little Boy is an instant cinematic classic that captures the wonder of life through the eyes of a 7-year-old little boy highlighting themes of faith, hope and love in the face of adversity.
A moviegoing experience for all ages, Little Boy features an all-star cast/crew including Oscar® nominated actors Emily Watson and Tom Wilkinson as well as Ben Chaplin, Michael Rapaport, and others. But the star of the film is newcomer Jakob Salvati.
Watching the inspirational film Little Boy can bring an audience to tears with this heart-stirring message and Jakob Salvati’s performance. For an eleven-year-old, Jakob Salvati is deep in His faith yet still very much “all boy” when sharing his zeal about working with an all-star cast and crew. When asked how he made viewers feel every scene with such intensity, Jakob said, “It’s all God’s gifts.” Jakob Salvati is one to watch, his performance in Little Boy is proof that when God hands out gifts to be used for his glory he does it lavishly.
Sonoma Christian Home sat down with Jakob for an interview on his life and newest film. SCH Contributor Jennifer Watson reports.
Jakob Salvati as Pepper Flynt Busbee and Michael Rapaport as James Busbee; Photo Courtesy of Metanoia Films.
SCH: First of all, congratulations on your upcoming movie and your incredible performance!
JS: Thank you so much, it was really an honor for me to get to be in this movie.
SCH: In the movie your character had two heroes, Ben Eagle the magician and your father. Who is your hero in real life?
JS: First of all, I have to start with God. God is my hero and my dad is my hero.
SCH: So, you have a close relationship with your father in real life like you did in the movie?
JS: Yes, very much. We are very close and do everything together.
SCH: Ben Eagle’s motto was, “Do you believe you can do this?” Did you have a favorite scene with your onscreen father where you were acting out different scenarios to overcome?
Photo Courtesy of Metanoia Films.
JS: Well, my favorite scene was in space and I got to wear a big space suit, which didn’t make the movie but that was really fun to shoot.
SCH: Do you think that little kids don’t get enough credit?
JS: (Long pause) Well…I don’t think some kids should get credit because they really don’t do much, they just sit around. But, some kids really do a lot of great things and don’t get any credit for that.
SCH: …So, kids shouldn’t be running the country yet?
JS: No, definitely not. (Laughing) Not yet, but we can inspire others to make a personal list of ways we can help others and do those things everyday to build our faith.
SCH: The faith of a child is a powerful thing and watching that play out on screen was so inspiring, how do you want this film to inspire people your age and younger?
JS: I want everyone to believe in God and read the word and go to church everyday. I want them to know how much God loves them and that they can have a list of their own to make a difference in people’s lives.
Jakob Salvati attends the premiere of ‘Little Boy’; Photo Courtesy of US News.
SCH: This is going to be a movie that all ages relate to and can be inspired by.
JS: Yes, amen. My hope is for everyone watching the film to know God and know they are loved.
SCH: Your character was given a list of things to mark off by a priest in order to build his mustard seed faith, is it your hope that the audience will make a list of their own?
JS: Everyone has something that they can do to change the lives of others.
SCH: Which one would you tell them to start with?
JS: I would start by just being a friend, because everyone needs that in their life. They need a real friend.
SCH: The dinner table scene was the probably the one that impacted me the most, when your father told you he was going to war. How did you feel filming that scene?
JS: It was fun, I was so honored to be in a room with the cast and have a chance to work with them. It was amazing, so fun and such a great experience. I can only hope to build my career by working with incredible casts and crews like this one.
SCH: You had to tap into some pretty big emotions in the film, for a seven-year-old. Was it hard for you to make those emotions so real?
JS: It was all God’s gift. God helped me and my mom coached me. God and my mom were my coaches.
SCH: It was beautiful how your relationship with Hashimoto (in the film) changed. At the beginning your character thought he was the enemy.
JS: My favorite part was how the friendship with Hashimoto happened and grew. I think everyone needs a friend. Having that friendship in the film was one of my favorite parts in the movie.
SCH: Jakob it was such an honor to interview you, thank you so much for your time. You are incredibly talented and will continue do amazing things for God.
JS: Thank you so much, do you have time to listen to a song?
As Jakob began to sing “How He Loves,” we worshipped with him. Kids really can do big things for God.
Exclusive Little Boy Interview: Stars Jakob Salvati & Michael Rapaport
Director Alejandro Monteverde Brings Faith & Hope to Life with “Little Boy”
Leave a Reply