Bratts roll out 'La Mission,' hometown-style

The San Francisco International Film Festival's opening-night party was a double homecoming for Benjamin and Peter Bratt: It took place in the Mission District, where the brothers grew up and where they shot "La Mission" - the family drama that inaugurated the 2009 festival - starring Benjamin and directed by Peter.As kids, they would sneak into the New Mission Theater a few blocks away from where the partygoers gathered. The Bratt boys' love of movies was sparked watching "Planet of the Apes" in the back of the theater when they were barely out of kindergarten. Thursday night's festivities were held in another grand movie house from their youth, the El Capitan. Sadly, all that's left of it is a splendid Mexican Baroque facade. The gutted foyer, now used as a parking lot, offered ample space for festivalgoers to congregate. The night was a bit nippy for milling around outdoors and for the dancers dressed in sequin halters and short shorts who perform with one of the bands. People could be heard lamenting the fact that the party hadn't been Monday, during the city's brief hot spell. As Thursday night wore on, they spilled over into Bruno's restaurant next door to keep warm. The Bratts were too exuberant to notice if they were cold. Asked how it felt to have their movie open the festival in their hometown, Benjamin said, "As you can imagine, it feels wonderful." This is the second time that Benjamin - who became famous as a detective on TV's "Law & Order" in the 1990s and recently appeared in the A&E series "The Cleaner" - has been directed by his older brother. The first was "Follow Me Home," a 1996 indie that wasn't seen much but has developed a following."We've formed an eternal theater troupe, and whatever Peter does I am going to be in now and forever," he said. CONTINUE READING...