Without newsflash superficiality, political commentary or cold analysis of the situation in the Middle East, Promises is a documentary filmed between 1995 and 2000 that brings the perspective of seven children from diverse backgrounds and both sides of the conflict.
Moishe is a settler child; Mahmoud supports Hamas; Shlomo is ultra-orthodox; Faraj lives in Dehaisheh and dreams of returning to the village from which his grandfather was exiled; Sanbal is from a refugee family with modern views; twins Yarko and Daniel are secular Israeli kids living in west Jerusalem.
All live a few kilometres from one another but are worlds apart. Before adolescence, children are freer, more spontaneous and can express themselves directly and without self-censorship. They can express what adults are afraid to say. At the same time, children, who usually allow the facts to confuse them, carry the hope for change in the patterns of hostility ingrained in the minds of adults.
Directed by Justine Arlin, Carlos Bolado and BZ Goldberg.
Special Agent Matti
*
PG
100 minutes (1:40 hours)
Film: 21 February 2002 at Valhalla Cinema