Outfest 2009 kicks off with the Opening Night Gala screening of writer-director Peter Bratt's La Mission on Thursday, July 9, at 8:00 pm at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Starring Benjamin Bratt (above), Jeremy Ray Valdez, and Erika Alexander, La Mission tells the story of a tough ex-con attempting to come to grips with the fact that his teenage son is gay. Ticket prices range from $50 to $150.
Both Benjamin Bratt and Peter Bratt are expected to attend the screening, which will be preceded by a tribute to filmmaker Don Roos and followed by a party (open to all ticketholders) at Club 740.
The synopsis below is from Outfest:
"In San Francisco's Mission District, reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic Che (Benjamin Bratt) is a bus driver and single father. His joie de vivre lies in socializing with his circle of friends and transforming old cars into lowrider masterpieces, but more than anything, he loves his son, Jesse (Jeremy Ray Valdez), who is about to graduate from high school. When he discovers that Jesse is gay, Che's world is thrown into turmoil, and he reacts in the only way he knows – with physical violence. In his battle with his demons, Che's old friends and new neighbor Lena (Erika Alexander) and his deep connection to his Native roots become increasingly important in his life."
If the critics remember him at the end of the year, perhaps Benjamin Bratt will have a shot at the Oscars.
he looks mean and hot
Too bad I won't be in LA for this. Benjamin Bratt looks so different in this film. It's unbelievable.