Promises (2001)

Several Jewish and Palestinian children are followed for three years and put in touch with each other, in this alternative look at the Jewish-Palestinian conflict. The three filmmakers ... See full summary »

Directors:

B.Z. Goldberg, Justine Shapiro

Writers:

B.Z. Goldberg, Stephen Most (consulting writer)

Stars:

Moishe Bar Am, B.Z. Goldberg, Shlomo Green

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 15 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Moishe Bar Am	...	Himself
B.Z. Goldberg	...	Himself
Shlomo Green	...	Himself (as Schlomo)
Sanabel Hassan	...	Herself
Faraj Adnan Hassan Husein	...	Himself
Mahmoud Mazen Mahmoud Izhiman	...	Himself
Daniel Solan	...	Himself
Yarko Solan	...	Himself

Storyline

Several Jewish and Palestinian children are followed for three years and put in touch with each other, in this alternative look at the Jewish-Palestinian conflict. The three filmmakers followed a group of seven local children between 1995 and 1998. They all have a totally different background. These seven children tell their own story about growing up in Jerusalem. Through this portrait of their generation, we see how deep rooted and almost insoluble the problems of the Middle East have become. When the protagonists speak out in an epilogue a couple of years later, it becomes apparent that all have lost their childlike innocence.

---

Plot Keywords:

children | palestinian | child | boy | israel | 

---

Genres:

Documentary

---

Details

Official Sites:

PBS [United States] Promises Project [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Arabic Hebrew

Release Date:

20 December 2001 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Promesas

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,138, 17 March 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$243,769, 15 December 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Promises Film Project

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

User Reviews

All of these, under the name of God

"Promises" is an extraordinary film. It was deeply moving and profoundly devastating film, especially it echoes the reality of Iraq war and the recent attack in London. Through seven children's eyes, this film examines the root of hatred between Israel and the Palestinian and provokes the hunting question: "Is there ever going to have peace?" You would think those children are young and innocent. They might be young, but they grew up in the war zone and they saw their families and friends were killed or injured by the enemies. The seeds of hatred already buried deep inside of their young hearts. What a human tragedy! It broke my heart to see they lost the innocence at such a young age. Some of them were so articulate and insightful than many of the adults, such as the president. What troubles me the most is besides the lost in human lives, their hatred is coming from what they believe in: religion. All these fighting and killing are under the name of God.

I was in tears when a phone call was made between the boys from both sides. I saw some hope, out of desperation. But how long will that hope last? Sadly, the war in Iraq is basically creating the exact situation in Israel and the Palestinian. There is no ending of killing in sight, only the deep hatred toward each other keeps building up.

"Promises" is a must see documentary.