La MISSION Independent Film Debuted April 9th, 2010 @ OutFest, Los Angeles, New York & Nationally Around The Country

by Big Rod
Nubian Knights

La Mission is an independent film which is produced and stars Benjamin Bratt (yep, the same homie, Detective Curtis from Law & Order folks). I'm told this has (and also judging by the trailer) a multi-layered storyline, one of which is Bratt's character having a homosexual son and dealing with that dynamic.Check your local listings in your respective city for dates and showtimes. As for NYC, the film is playing at the AMC Empire 25 and Chelsea Clearview theaters only. Click da pic and link below for much more details.

New York Locations:

AMC Empire 25

234 West 42nd Street (Near 8th Avenue)

New York, NY 10036

1-888-AMC-4FUN

Showtimes Here

Clearview's Chelsea

260 West 23rd Street (Near 8th Avenue)

New York, NY 10011

(212) 777-FILM

Showtimes Here


Statement from the filmmakers, Peter and Benjamin Bratt

Dear Friends,
It is with great pride in the efforts of literally hundreds of people that we write to tell you that our film La MISSION will have its national theatrical release beginning April 9th.La MISSION pays homage to the neighborhood and people we grew up around, and captures the vibrancy, cultural pride, flavor and sound of this ever-evolving barrio. At the center of the story is Che, an old school reformed bad boy and single father who has dedicated his life to raising his 18 year-old son. Jess is a UCLA-bound honors student who is hiding a deeply-held secret from his macho father: he's gay.

La MISSION doesn't pull any punches. It takes a hard look at some of the prevailing attitudes that still thrive and do damage within our communities. But La MISSION also celebrates the humor, the sense of pride, and the passion for life that exists alongside the everyday struggles.

Opening weekend attendance is critical. The box office totals determine the life expectancy of the film, including its afterlife on DVD. If you, as we do, want to see more films that are authentically representative of our experiences and our communities, we urge you to support independent filmmaking by showing up at the theaters and buying tickets. It's the only message exhibitors understand--they only run films that will bring in large crowds.

Please check our website (www.lamissionthemovie.com) and also become a fan of La Mission on Facebook. There you will find details on what cities and theaters we are playing in, plus photos and information on the film and its crew.

Thanks for supporting independent cinema, and a heartfelt thanks from us for your support of La MISSION.

Power to the people!

Peter and Benjamin

Dirty Laundry alumnus gets GREAT PRESS in 2010

In 2008, Director, Producer and Actor Maurice Jamal released the independent award winning movie Dirty Laundry. A modern-day prodigal son story with a twist follows Patrick, a magazine writer, who seems to have the "perfect life," until one day and there is a knock at the door. On the other side stands a secret that brings him face to face with the traditional southern family he hasn't seen in over 10 years.


Actors, Aaron Shaw who played Gabriel, Erica Watson as Clarine and Loretta Devine, Evelyn, the monarch of the family have continued to receive great press in 2010.



AARON SHAW makes his debut in the critically acclaimed and 20th Season of NBC’s TV Drama “Law & Order,” Boy on Fire Episode Air Date, 10pm EST, Monday, March 8th.

When a 16-year-old student's burning body is found, Lupo and Bernard question his young mentee, who was the last person to see him alive; the investigation draws attention to a vicious high-school rivalry. Cast includes: S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston, Alana de la Garza, Jeremy Sisto, Linus Roache, Anthony Anderson and new comer Noel Rodrigurez.

Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf. The Emmy Award winning show premiered on September 13, 1990, and is currently in its twentieth season, which began airing on September 25, 2009 on NBC. Law & Order is currently the longest running crime drama on American prime time television and is tied for longest running drama with Gunsmoke. It was renewed for a 21st season and will become the longest running American prime time television scripted drama.

Aaron first drew national attention with his starring role as Gabriel opposite fellow actors, Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Devine and Jenifer Lewis in “Dirty Laundry”. Several commercials and smaller roles later, he landed the role on of Oliver on HBO’s Original Series “In Treatment” as a second season regular in 2009.

Watch your skinny backs Sandra Bernhard, Margaret Cho and John Leguizamo --ERICA WATSON is coming to claim her crown as Queen of the theater/standup hybrid show with the New York Premiere of FAT BITCH! After workshops in NYC and Chicago, this new solo show written and performed by Watson runs February 11- 25, 2010 at The Laurie Beechman Theater.


FAT BITCH! is a funny, provocative glimpse at the American “fat and sassy” black woman stereotype. Plus-sized performer Erica Watson explores society’s obsession with weight, race and class and how black women’s bodies have always been subjected to both admiration and ridicule. Drawing upon iconic images including “Mammy” and “Hottentot Venus,” Watson illustrates how media images have impacted her self-esteem as she touches on PETA’s “Save the Whales” campaign aimed at overweight women, the “war on obesity,” and the controversy surrounding President Obama’s nomination of a plus-sized black woman for Surgeon General.

Born and raised in Chicago, Erica Watson is an actor, stand-up comedian, and film/television director. Currently, she can be seen in the Oprah Winfrey/Lee Daniels film Precious. She has also starred in the feature film Dirty Laundry. Watson is currently featured in two Gracie Award-winning commercials for the Oxygen Network called "Tresstify" and "Kiss & Tell,” as well as the March Madness Comedy special on MSG-TV. She has appeared on NBC's "Last Comic Standing," and was a commentator and pundit for five BET specials including “Top 12 BET Award Show Moments,” “Countdown to 2009: BET Year in Review,” “The Evolution of Mary J. Blige,” and “The Evolution of Jay-Z”. Additionally, Watson is a recurring politics and pop culture panelist on the BETJ talk show "My Two Cents,” director of the reality TV Series "My Model Looks Better Than Your Model" on the BETJ Network and a blogger for the Huffington Post.

FAT BITCH! runs February 11- 25, Thursdays at 7:00pm. The Laurie Beechman Theater is located inside West Bank Cafe at 407 West 47th Street -- at Ninth Avenue, accessible from the A,C,E,N,R,V,F,1,2,3 trains at 42nd Street. Tickets are $15, plus $15 food/drink minimum, available at 212-352-3101 or www.SpinCycleNYC.com.


Award winning actress LORETTA DEVINE stars in Don B. Welch’s hit gospel stage play, “Hallelujah Mahalia (HM).” Ms. Devine joins recording artist and gospel sensation Tamika Patton. Ms.Patton, who has been starring in Hallelujah Mahalia since the mid 1990’s, cris-crossing the country in the lead role told the Philadelphia Tribune, “Her life (Mahalia’s) is so similar to mine in many different ways. It just seemed like she was always striving to get that message of love and peace and gospel in any way that she could, and it was in her own unique way”.

The production also stars Barry Lyons, pastor of The Living Waters of The San Fernando Valley Church in the role of Thomas A. Dorsey, (known as the “Godfather of Gospel) and legendary musical director, Rev. Alexander Hamilton. HM also stars: Contrella Patrick Henry, Kim Yarbrough, Charmaine Charles, Nei-Ce Knight Pruiett, Lisa C. Thompson, Delores Lakey Stewart & Andrea Jones.

“HM pays tribute to the music and legacy of America’s greatest gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson. Welch’s stage play chronicles the life and music of Jackson, from her humble beginnings in Chicago to her untimely death in 1972. Audiences can expect to hear all of the Mahalia classics such as: “Move On Up A Higher”, “How I Got Over”, “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands”, “Precious Lord”, & “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen” among others. Along with little-known historical facts like it has been rumored that Mahalia sat with The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King the night before, as he pondered which of the two speeches he had prepared to give on the March of Washington the next day. “Give ‘em the I have A Dream speech Martin! That’ll stir them up”.

“Hallelujah Mahalia” premieres Saturday, February 27, 2009 5:00 p.m. and The Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, Ca.

Law & Order celebrates 20th Season

“Law & Order” celebrated a very special milestone as it returned to NBC for its 20th season; it is now tied with “Gunsmoke” as the longest running primetime drama on TV.

To recognize this achievement, New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting Commissioner Katherine Oliver delivered a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg declaring Wednesday, September 23 as “Law & Order Day.”The proclamation read, in part: “The longest-running crime series and one of the longest-running shows in television history, ‘Law & Order’ has garnered numerous awards (including an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series) and given birth to two successful spin-offs. A ‘Made in NY’ production that is filmed on location throughout the five boroughs, ‘Law & Order’ gave our city a starring role in the series from the beginning.“As both the setting and shooting location for ‘Law & Order,’ New York City has benefited tremendously from the show’s success over the past two decades...

As the show celebrates its twentieth year on the air, all New Yorkers can join together in applauding its tremendous accomplishments and wishing it even greater success in the years ahead.”Dick Wolf, executive producer and creator, was on hand to receive the proclamation along with members of the cast and crew. Current cast members Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Anthony Anderson, Jeremy Sisto, Linus Roache, and Alana De La Garza were joined by a number of “Law & Order” alumni, including Jesse L. Martin, Benjamin Bratt, Jill Hennessy, Dann Florek, and Carey Lowell, to take part in cake cutting ceremony.“Law & Order” airs on NBC on Fridays at 8pm.

Pictured: (back row, l-r) Jesse L. Martin, Dann Florek, Jill Hennessy, Benjamin Bratt, Carey Lowell, Steve Zirnlikton; (front row, l-r) Commissioner Katherine Oliver, Anthony Anderson, Jeremy Sisto, S. Epatha Merkerson, Dick Wolf, Sam Waterston, Alana De La Garza, Linus Roache. Photo courtesy of Virginia Sherwood, NBC.