"Little Boy" opens Friday, April 24th, nationwide in the U.S. and at multiple locations throughout San Diego County. The movie was filmed in Baja Film Studios in Rosarito, Baja California and is widely anticipated by the local community. No date has been announced for the launch of the movie in Mexico, where the film will be titled "El Gran Pequeño".

"Little Boy" is a story of remembrance. Set in a small coastal California town during World War II, "Little Boy" is Norman Rockwellian on the surface but beneath lie tensions of racism, bullying, and the daily reminders of the horrors of war and the challenges of faith in the face of adversity.

It has received honors in Japan where it was screened at the Hiroshima International Film Festival and garnered the Spirit Award for excellence in film-making.

"Little Boy" is presented as homage to this golden era of Hollywood film-making, brought forth through the eyes of a core of Mexican visionaries – led by Writer and Smithsonian Institute Award winning director Alejandro Monteverde, whose debut film "Bella", won the "People's Choice Award" at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival.

Outsiders-by-choice, the independent producers behind the film struggled to obtain financing and media access throughout the entire process, from production to distribution. As a result, "Little Boy" took five years to make.

VIDEO: Little Boy Official Trailer

The film is not without controversy and critics. "Little Boy" was given a restrictive PG-13 rating by the film governing body Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in spite of only mild wartime violence, no profanity, and no sex.

"We set out to make a film that the entire family could enjoy together -- from kids to grandparents," said producer Eduardo Verastegui, a former Mexican soap opera star. "Our goal from the very beginning was for it to be PG and we honestly feel we have done that."

But according to the Hollywood Reporter, the MPAA decided that "Little Boy" had "too much violence" for a PG rating.

After being told this, "Little Boy's" producers cut out most of the violent footage . But the MPAA still refused to budge, even after a second appeal.[/p]

According to Parents' Television Council Watchdog, the explanation for this may be that "the makers of 'Little Boy' are hardly celebrities or entertainment industry giants…but they are challenging Hollywood's status quo of foul-mouthed, gory, and sexually depraved content with a film which uplifts viewers, encourages genuine tolerance, and sees value in matters of faith. The MPAA consistently punishes clean content while giving a pass to f-bombs, pornography, and gore, and it's hard to reach any other conclusion."

Some industry giants have come out to support the film with their favorable reviews. "Little Boy should win an Oscar", said actress Eva Longoria, with similar praise from singer Paulina Rubio. Singers Tony Bennet and Jewel stated that the movie is "such a winner" and "deeply moving, utterly amazing". Local San Diego Charger Quarterback Philip Rivers urged, "I would highly suggest you go see Little Boy".

According to Verastegui, "Hollywood's idea of what is objectionable content is very different from the Americans I meet when I travel across America. The parents that I know are tired of having their kids saturated with sex, violence and disrespectful behavior. Our movie has none of that"

On Thursday, April 23rd, "Little Boy" took over entire multiplexes in 20 cities across the U.S. in advance screenings For an independent film to take over an entire multiplex is impressive.

This phenomenon was made possible by business leaders, sports stars, celebrities, church and veterans groups who believe "Little Boy" to be a film that must be seen.

An innovative social media based technology will be employed for the first time at Little Boy's theatrical film release in the US. A company called OnBuzz has created interactive kiosks at the premiers where moviegoers can take selfies against the backdrop of scenes from the movie. The scene is then integrated into the selfie and sent via text message, to be shared over social media.

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