Director Carl Franklin's latest work (his first theatrically-released feature film in a decade) Bless Me, Ultima, opened last Friday.

So how did it do?

Opening on 263 screens, it grossed $470,000, which is actually strong for a *small* indepedently-produced and financed film of its kind. But the per screen average was just about $1,700 – not as impressive as the total tally.

However, I believe it's made more than that, because it played in parts of the Southwest USA last fall, but numbers from those screenings aren't included in that $470,000. And from what I read, it played very in those Southwestern states (like New Mexico), since the film's story is set in that region.

Friday's opening was it's *official* opening. I'll find out whether ticket sales from past screenings will eventually factor into the film's total box offce numbers.

It might be playing at a theater near you, and you might not know it, so to find out if it's playing at a theater near you, click HERE and enter your zip code, and then go see the film. I know it's not playing in New York, which is odd. So, I haven't seen it yet, otherwise I would've reviewed it by now.

If you did see it over the weekend, please let us know what you thought of it.

Based on Rudolfo Anaya’s award-winning novel of the same name, Bless Me Ultima chronicles the turbulent coming-of-age story of Antonio, a young boy growing up in New Mexico during World War II, and his relationship with Ultima, an elderly medicine woman who helps Antonio navigate the dangerous battle between good and evil raging in his village, and ultimately helps him discover his own spiritual identity.

The narrative has been described as "Magical realism."

The film was shot on location in New Mexico, with a cast and crew made up mostly of New Mexicans.

It's Mr Franklin's latest big screen work since Out Of Time in 2003 – 10+ years ago, just about. Ssince then, he's been directing lots of episodic TV.

For a glimpse at what to expect, watch the USA release trailer embedded below: