Powerful and challenging, La Mission is a moving portrayal of redemption, transformation and family.

Written and directed by Peter Bratt, the film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival (official selection). It was also selected as opening night film for a number of prestigious festivals including the 2009 San Francisco International Film Festival, 2009 Outfest in Los Angeles, and the New York Latino International Film Festival. 

Bratt does keynotes and screenings in conjunction with the movie.

SYNOPSIS:

Growing up in the Mission district of San Francisco, Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt) has always had to be tough to survive. He’s a powerful man respected throughout the community for his masculinity and his strength, as well as for his hobby building beautiful lowrider cars. At the same time he’s also a man feared for his street-tough ways and violent temper.

A reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic, Che has worked hard to redeem his life and do right by his pride and joy: his only son, Jes, whom he has raised on his own after the death of his wife. Che’s path to redemption is tested, however, when he discovers Jes is gay.

In a rage, Che violently beats Jes, disowning him. He loses his son – and loses himself in the process. Isolated and alone, Che comes to realize that his patriarchal pride is meaningless to him, and to maintain his idea of masculinity, he’s sacrificed the one thing that he cherishes most – the love of his son. To survive his neighborhood, Che has always lived with his fists. To survive as a complete man, he’ll have to embrace a side of himself he’s never shown.

Stars: Benjamin Bratt, Erika Alexander, Talisa Soto Bratt, Jeremy Valdez, Jesse Borrego
Rating: R for language, some violence and sexual content
Length: 117 Minutes

 AWARDS:

• Green Media Seal, Environmental Media Awards, October 2009
• Human Rights Award, Artivist Film Festival, December 2009
• 2nd place, Audience Award, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, October 2009
• Special Jury Premio Mesquite Award, CineFestival in San Antonio, February 2010
• Maverick Award, Cinequest Film Festival, March 2010
• Special Jury Award, WorldFest Houston, April 2010
• Estela Award, National Association of Latino Producers, 2010
• Imagen Awards, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor
• Norman Lear Writer’s Award, 2010
• Audience Award for Best Feature Film, OUT Film Festival Connecticut, 2010