La Mission opens Friday

Thu, May 6, 2010 at 3:36 pm

Watch the trailer above. Current contributor Gregg Barrios had this to say about the film:

Initially, director Peter Bratt leads us to believe we are in for a Chicano gang film with its focus on Che Rivera (Bratt), an ex-con, single father, alcoholic bus driver who converts old cars into gleaming low-riders. But when we meet his teenage son Jesse (Valdez), a high-school honor student, and discover his relationship with a white boyfriend, it becomes obvious that things are bound to go bad at Casa Rivera. The seismic event occurs when Che discovers that Jesse is gay and unleashes his monstrous fury in a horrific public gay-bashing. It becomes difficult to watch the doomed Che unsuccessfully battle his demons, and although we may recognize his existential pain, he is the reason for the tragic events that unfold. Unanswered questions abound: Why doesn't the brutal public beating result in Che's arrest? Why doesn't the school report the boy's abuse? Where is la buena gente to get Che the mental help he needs? Is this the beloved barrio Bratt wishes to portray? Still, the film's saving grace is that Jesse's story becomes empowering as he takes command of his destiny and finds the strength to become his own man.

Read his interview with director Peter Bratt here.

San Antonio actor Jesse Borrego, who appears in the film, will be present at several post-screening Q&As.

From a press release:

San Antonio's own Jesse Borrego, will be appearing at select Santikos Theatres to discuss his new film, La Mission which opens Friday, May 7^th. Red Carpet events are open to the public; an admission ticket to the showing of La Mission prior to the Q&A is required for attendance.

WHEN: Friday, May 7^th @ The Santikos Bijou Cinema Bistro

7:00 PM Red Carpet photos with Jesse Borrego Acoustic Jam by Tejano stars Percy Cardona & Miguel Hernandez

7:45 PM Showing of La Mission

10:00 PM *Q & A with the actors following the film

Saturday, May 8^th @ The Santikos Mayan Palace

6:30 PM Red Carpet photos with Jesse BorregoAcoustic Jam by Tejano stars Percy Cardona & Miguel Hernandez.

Low-rider car show in the Mayan Palace parking lot all day

7:20 PM Showing of La Mission

10:00 PM *Q & A with the actors following the film

*Q&A sessions will occur in the auditorium following the movie La Mission, ticket required to attend.

VISU VISUAL: Red Carpet photos of Jesse Borrego with fans at the premier of La Mission at The Bijou Cinema Bistro on Friday, 5/7 and at The Mayan Palace on Saturday, 5/8.

ABOUT: Jesse Borrego was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and graduated from Harlandale High School. He studied at The University of the Incarnate Word before attending the California Institute of the Arts. In the 1980's he won the role of “Jesse Velasquez” on the TV series “Fame” which he held for three years. Borrego has premiered in films such as “Blood In, Blood Out” and “Follow Me Home”.

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