Today, Little Boy becomes available on DVD! You won’t want to miss this inspiring story of faith.
Artistically set in a small town during World War II, this is a “memory” story (that takes liberties from realistic conventions) of a little boy, an under-dog, in the small town who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring his dad home from World War II alive. Little Boy relies on the indescribable love the little boy has for his father and the love of the father for his young son.
Eduardo Verástegui worked with Roma Downey and Mark Burnett to produce this beautiful, faith-based movie: Little Boy. In a private screening, this heartwarming, touching, hopeful story has engaged the heart, mind, and soul as it has depicted the young boy overcoming his own prejudices and the small-mindedness of the townspeople, inspiring others in his family and town to do the same.
Eduardo works with Award-Winning Director Alejandro Monteverde for the second time in “Little Boy”; Photo Courtesy of In Trend.
In Sonoma Christian Home’s exclusive telephone interview with Eduardo Verástegui, a producer of Little Boy who also plays in the film as Father Crispin, Eduardo has shared insights about his exquisite movie. SCH Editor at Large Dr. Diane Howard reports.
SCH: What motivated you to produce this charming movie?
EV: After coming to LA, touring the world as a Latino pop singer and performing for Spanish television aired to many countries, I realized the power of media as a “global megaphone” and decided that I did not want to perform in anything that would offend myself, family, or others in the world.
The talented, multilingual Eduardo has starred in award winning films and toured the world as a singer.
SCH: What did you do at that point?
EV: After four years of not finding appropriate work, I teamed up with director Alejandro Monteverde and producer Leo Severino to form Metanoia Films, a company committed to projects that entertain, engage and inspire.
SCH: What other goals did you have for Metanoia Films?
EV: One goal has been to produce work with universal appeal that would heal wounds and unite people. Our previous movie Bella focused on a Latino family, especially on José, who as a real family hero with a troubled past rescues a baby and adopts her. This movie has inspired some who have seen it to adopt children.
Eduardo Verástegui in Bella; Photo Courtesy of Metanoia Films.
Another goal for our movie Little Boy has been to awaken the wonder and innocence of the child in all of us. Further, the movie has intended to inspire all to exercise faith to accomplish great, good things for the world, just as Little Boy’s faith is related to a subsequent earthquake.
Our team has been challenged by the need of the world to get back to the essentials of love, truth, and compassion. Our team (that now includes Roma Downey and Mark Burnett as executive producers for Little Boy) wants to “turn on the Light” in today’s world of moral crises.
In this wonderful movie, Jakob Salvati, the little boy (Pepper Flynt Busbee), beautifully conveys the wonder, innocence, and child-like faith that propels the story. Further outstanding acting has been performed by Emily Watson as Emma Busbee and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Hashimoto, who becomes a surrogate father under severe adversarial conditions while the little boy’s father is away at war. Most importantly, the little boy, that Jakob plays so well with a range of emotions and beautiful character development, role models for his family, community, and for all who view this movie the transformative, redemptive truth that to enter the kingdom of God we must all become as little children.
Other Verástegui films that are now available on DVD and various forms of streaming are highly recommended for families, especially of youth through adults: The Butterfly Circus, Bella, Crescendo I, For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada.
In our current world of portending dark and evil elements from personal to international levels, honest redemptive movies can assist viewers of all ages to process challenges and to visual hope. Worthwhile movies can be enlightening, edifying, and entertaining.
Written by Diane Howard, Ph.D. (Performance Studies)
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