By Tom Tracy - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | A star of the breakout film success “Bella” is hoping his new film project, “Little Boy,” catches on with audiences in a slightly different way.

Set in a mythical, World War II-era California coastal town, “Little Boy” centers on a youngster who wants nothing more than to see his father safely return from the war in the Pacific. With the help of a small town priest, he learns some lessons in faith, prayer and small works of mercy.

“I read the script and I was convinced that would be my next film, to wake up that (childhood) innocence in our lives that sometimes disappears as we become adults,” said Eduardo Verástegui, one of the film’s creators and also the star of “Bella,” the award-winning 2006 movie with a pro-life theme. “In children’s world there is no war, so there must be something that happens in terms of corruption and violence and we become the worst enemies of ourselves.”

Verástegui plays the role of Father Crispin, a young and devout priest who explains the parable of the mustard seed to Little Boy, also known as Pepper Busbee, portrayed by Jakob Salvati. The film also features two Oscar-nominated actors, Emily Watson and Tom Wilkinson, along with Kevin James (“Paul Blart: Mall Cop”) and Michael Rapaport.

“Even though this movie takes place in the 1940s, I believe this film will have the power to bring people together. The message is that we all need to become children again, and that we cannot lose hope or faith or our love for one another,” Verástegui toldThe Florida Catholic by phone from Miami.

He added that the film should appeal to a wide audience in terms of demographics, age and religious background, not only to a Christian viewership.

Verástegui created the movie in partnership with writer-director Alejandro Monteverde and Leo Severino, the three founders of the film production company Metanoia Films. He also received support from Miami-based Catholic philanthropist Sean Wolfington, who is listed as one of the producers for both “Bella” and “Little Boy.”

The Mexican-born Verástegui lives part-time in Miami as well as Los Angeles and Mexico, where “Little Boy” was filmed on a set in the city of Rosarito, south of Tijuana.

He said he has been busy for the last six months traveling the United States to promote the film and help build up grass-roots interest before its nationwide opening this Friday, April 24, at some 1,000 theaters. A special advance showing, courtesy of Wolfington, was set for April 23 at three movie theaters, in Hollywood, South Dade and Miami Beach.

Verástegui said he drew his inspiration for the fictional California coastal town where “Little Boy” is set from the paintings and illustrations of Norman Rockwell, noted for his nostalgic depictions of everyday life for the Saturday Evening Post.

Verástegui describes the “Little Boy” film project as “an American story with a universal message made by Mexicans, filmed by Mexicans and with an international cast.”

“We wanted to bring the best out of Mexico and the United States and see what happens. I am very grateful to this great country for being an amazing blessing in my life,” said Verástegui, who got his career start through modeling, singing, and acting parts in Mexican novelas.

The award-winning filmmaker has also become a local resident, with a seasonal presence in Miami for the past 15 years. During that time he has had a chance to visit many of the local churches and parishes, he said, adding that he uses a cell phone application to pull up Mass times at area churches.

“Miami for me is the capital of Latin America, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and you see people from everywhere — all of Latin America, Europe and different parts of the world, Asia and Russia — all become one without losing their roots and part of America,” he said.

While in Rome earlier this month, Verástegui also presented a copy of “Little Boy” to Pope Francis. His brief meeting with the pope came about in connection with the U.S. based Papal Foundation, a charity which Verástegui said he supports. He noted that Pope Francis encouraged Verástegui to continue his focus on the needs and concerns of young people.

In Miami, Archbishop Wenski, along with archdiocesan priests and seminarians, have had one or two opportunities to preview the film, Verástegui said. The archbishop called it “an impactful story of faith and family.”

As with “Bella,” family-friendly and independent movies like “Little Boy” need to create grass-roots buzz to compete in the marketplace.

When approaching the release date for “Bella” in 2006, the filmmakers reportedly made several pilgrimages to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe to pray for the film’s success. They also befriended the New York-based Franciscan Friars of the Renewal during filming there.

Prior to the film’s opening, “Bella” received considerable support in Catholic and pro-life circles. Many dioceses promoted pre-screenings of the film, as did Catholic colleges and universities, and Catholic organizations including the Knights of Columbus.