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Keeping track of all of the independent films that get released every month is exhausting. While the big studios release two or three movies a week, all on at least 1,500 screens, there can be a handful of independent films released on rarely more than a couple hundred screens, and often as few as a couple or even one. Because these flicks get so little attention, following their weekly box-office receipts takes the efforts of someone with a lot of free time… so let’s get started, shall we?

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La Mission: With only Benjamin Bratt serving as the drawing power on this project, this project hasn’t had much luck breaking out with mainstream success, although it’s held well throughout April and May. Bratt’s passion project, which was directed by his brother, has consistently had weekly takes over $100,000 as it’s worked its way to $818,886, hitting nearly 50 theaters at its widest. Based on the impressive weekly holds, La Mission should have no problem breaking $1 million, although $2 million seems out of reach.

The closest comparison I can think of for this project is The Lost City, Andy Garcia’s passion project about the fall of Cuba. Another Latin-themed film, albeit one with much bigger names attached to it, The Lost City made nearly $2.5 million. Of course, Lost City’s $9.6 million budget is likely much higher than La Mission’s. While it can’t be considered a hit, Bratt’s film will likely be looked at as a success after DVD rentals are accounted for.





Exit Through the Gift Shop: Between word-of-mouth and plenty of press, Banksy’s directorial debut has found a considerable amount of success as it continued to expand. It is only just now on the downswing, after having hit a wide release of 45 theaters, and is very near $2 million in domestic gross. This documentary about the evolution of street art has proven to be one of the most impressive indie hits of the year thus far. Of course, I will take this opportunity, as I have taken every opportunity, to tell you to GO SEE THIS MOVIE!

To put this in perspective, since 2005 only 20 documentaries have made more than $2 million, a number Exit Through the Gift Shop should easily outpace. When you remove from that list all movies directed by Michael Moore and other movies that are similarly about controversial political issues (global warming, evolution etc.), all movies about adorable animals (including babies), and all movies that have a big star as a drawing point for audiences, only Man on Wire, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, Wordplay, Rize, The September Issue, and Mad Hot Ballroom have made more than Exit has so far. For a documentary without a movie star or a major studio behind it, that’s an impressive accomplishment.

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