Peter Bratt's redemptive drama La Mission will open the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival, which runs from April 23-May 7.

Bratt's brother Benjamin Bratt stars in the tale of an ex-con whose powerful bond with his son and his peaceful way of life are threatened by a sudden revelation. Erika Alexander and Jeremy Ray Valdez also star.

'Like the neighborhood in which it's set, Peter's film is full of life and has a big wild heart,' executive director Graham Leggat said. 'We loved it at first sight, not least because of the wonderful way in which it marshalls the city's film-making talent, and we can't imagine a more enjoyable way to open this year's festival than with this moving and powerful film.'

La Mission was shot in San Francisco and produced by Alpita Patel, Benjamin Bratt and Peter Bratt and executive produced by San Francisco residents Kat Taylor and Tom Steyer and Bay Area resident Dan Nelson.

The project was supported by the San Francisco Film Commission and participated in the city's Scene In San Francisco rebate programme.

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