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.

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Plot Keywords:

children | palestinian | child | boy | israel | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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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

Lives will be saved by this film

Ever since I knew this was a film made in part by a Mexican, and that it had such an impact in award ceremonies, I've been looking for it.

I was glad to find out that all the honors, prizes and kudos given to it weren't in vain.

It's a wonderful experience to sit through. It widens the vision you have of the conflict, by letting us see it through the eyes of young, but not that innocent children.

Some, we know they're talking with their open heart, some, we know they're reserving their real thoughts. In the end, the blend of ideologies -some simple, some quite complex- are enough to keep you asking for more.

I do believe this is a film that should be shone, not only in school across the United States, but across the entire globe. It is my suggestion that this film be included as part of a subject across the whole world.

If you are truly interested in this film, its makers are eagerly waiting the chance to make a sequel to it. All they're waiting for is the budget to be ready. Want to contribute? Check their web site!

This are not actors, or aspiring performers. This are real people, real children. With hopes, with wishes, with thoughts. The camera is only there to show us a brief moment in their lives, but what about the rest?

They will be there, in a land plagued by constant, (and to me, personally) senseless war. Even though they have already been through a lot of experiences some of lucky humans will never be put to, they are still children, who wait for a chance like this, to make themselves a Promise.