For Hollywood actor Benjamin Bratt, working on the film La Mission with real-life brother Peter Bratt was “Hella fun!”- or so he describes during a recent press roundtable in New York City. “Whenever you say Hella’, people go, ‘Oh, you’re from the Bay area,’” says Benjamin.
The "Bay area" Benjamin is referring to is the San Francisco Bay Area, where he and his siblings were born and raised. Within San Francisco lies a neighborhood known as The Mission District, which serves as the backdrop of the film. La Mission is about a reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic who turns to violence after discovering his son is gay and thereby embarks on a journey towards redemption. The film, now in select theaters, was written and directed by Peter and stars Benjamin as the main character, Che Rivera.
Before he knew the film was going to take place in The Mission District or include low-rider cars, Peter declares that he began with its theme. “The theme was exploring ideas of violence and power in communities of color- masculinity,” he reveals. Once the theme was chosen, Peter approached Benjamin about his idea, which fell in step with the pairs’ dream of making a film in The Mission District. Peter then found what he thought was the perfect vehicle for him to explore the film’s themes- by basing the main character on a real person both brothers knew growing up named Che, whom they also consider family. “He drives a bus, he’s tatted out, he has a past, he was a single father,” Peter reveals. “He’s a brown and proud Chicano, just like the character in the film, and he is what they call a true to the bone Old G low-rider.” Che also served as a consultant on the film and helped give direction in terms of the music and cars.
“The rest kind of just came together,” states Peter.
In the film, Che adores his son Jes, played by Jeremy Ray Valdez. An exemplary student, Jes has always made his father very proud. One day, it all crumbles after Che comes across photos of Jes lip-locked with his partner. Overwhelmed by his violent temper and extreme homophobia, Che beats his son humiliatingly in front of their neighborhood.
Benjamin declares to the circle of wide-eyed reporters that the character Jes was a tough role to fulfill. “As a son of my character would necessarily be, he would be straight acting and requisitely tough on the outside, but it’s a very daring thing for a young actor, especially a young actor of color, to embrace a character full-on,” he says.
Benjamin believes that Valdez was brave in portraying Jes’ role in an effort to tell an honest and authentic story, which he added, was ultimately their collective aim.
Check out our review for La Mission here.
