Alejandro Monteverde to Direct Bio Pic About U.S. Catholic Nun Frances Xavier Cabrini

Alejandro Monteverde is retelling history…

The 43-year-old Mexican film director will helm the feature Cabrini, a bio pic about U.S. Catholic nun Frances Xavier Cabrini.

Alejandro Monteverde

Production starts on June 28 in Buffalo, NY and New York City.

Mother Cabrini was an Italian-American Roman Catholic nun who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a Catholic religious institute that was a major support to her fellow Italian immigrants to the United States. Cabrini, who lived from 1850 to 1917, was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, on July 7, 1946 by Pope Pius XII.

Her beautification miracle involved restoring the sight of a day-old baby, Peter Smith, who had been blinded by a 50% silver nitrate solution instead of the normal 1% solution in the child’s eyes. Her canonization miracle involved the healing of a terminally ill member of her congregation.

Monteverde directed the 2006 feature Bella, which was released by Roadside Attractions, and the 2015 Emily Watson drama Little Boy

Open Road Films to Release Verastegui’s “Little Boy” Next February

Eduardo Verastegui will be performing the duties of a man of the cloth early next year.

Open Road Films has set a February 27, 2015 release date for Little Boy, the inspirational family film starring the 40-year-old Mexican actor-model-singer as Fr. Crispin.

Eduardo Verastegui

Directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde and executive produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, the film centers on a 7-year-old boy willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II so he can bring his father home.

In addition to Versategui, the film also stars Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, Kevin James, Ben Chaplin, Michael Rapaport, Cary Tagawa, Ted Levine, David Henrie and Jakob Salvati.

Pepe Portillo and Monteverde wrote the script.

Open Road Films acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the film last month.

Open Road Films to Distribute “Little Boy,” Starring Verastegui,” in the U.S.

Eduardo Verástegui‘s latest little project will be heading to American theaters…

Open Road Films has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Little Boy, a new family film featuring the 40-year-old Mexican actor-model-singer as Fr. Crispin.

Eduardo Versategui

Executive produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, the film stars Emily Watson and Tom Wilkinson and centers on a 7-year-old boy who is willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II and bring his father home.

In addition to Verástegui, Watson and Wilkinson, the cast also includes David HenrieKevin James, Ben Chaplin, Michael Rapaport, Cary Tagawa, Ted Levine and 7-year-old newcomer Jakob Salvati.

It was directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde and written by Pepe Portillo and Monteverde.

Little Boy is a truly uplifting movie that resonates with family audiences, and we are thrilled to add it to our slate,” Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg said as he made the announcement with Burnett.

Verastegui, who will soon appear in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, earned a Grace Award in 2008 for Most Inspirational Movie Acting for his role in the critically acclaimed film Bella.

Monteverde Signs with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Alejandro Monteverde’s stock is on the rise in Hollywood…

The 36-year-old Mexican filmmaker has signed on with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) just as his latest project, Little Boy, is garnering critical acclaim.

Alejandro Monteverde

His latest film centers on a young American boy who tries to bring his father back from World War II. The film stars Kevin James, Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson and Michael Rapaport.

Monteverde’s first film, Bella won the People’s Choice Award at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival and the  director of the Department of Citizenship gave Monteverde the “American by Choice” award for Bella‘s positive contribution to Latino art and culture in the U.S.