EXCLUSIVE: Monterey Media Acquires U.S. Rights to 'The Lesser Blessed' Starring Benjamin Bratt

Monterey Media has acquired all U.S. rights from Entertainment One Film International for the coming-of-age drama "The Lesser Blessed," starring Benjamin Bratt, Kiowa Gordon ("The Twilight Saga") and Chloe Rose (TV's "Degrassi: The Next Generation). The film was written and directed by Anita Doron ("The End of Silence"), and world premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival late last year.

Here's the synopsis, per Monterey: "Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Richard Van Camp, 'The Lesser Blessed' is an eye-opening depiction of what it is like to be a vulnerable teenager in today’s modern world. Through the eyes of Larry Sole, a Native-American teenager filled with bravado and angst, comes the story of three unlikely friends isolated in a small rural town discovering what they can of life and love amid racial tensions and the recklessness of youth, in a world clouded by a dark mystery from his past."

The company plans to open the film theatrically in late spring 2013. Monterey previously acquired Guy Maddin's "Keyhole," "Small Town Murder Songs," "Lovely, Still" and "The Secrets" starring Fanny Ardant out of Toronto.