Synopsis
Documentarians Justine Shapiro and B.Z. Goldberg traveled to Israel to interview Palestinian and Israeli kids ages 11 to 13, assembling their views on living in a society afflicted with violence, separatism and religious and political extremism. This 2002 Oscar nominee for Best Feature Documentary culminates in an astonishing day in which two Israeli children meet Palestinian youngsters at a refugee camp.
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Cast
- Moishe Bar AmHimself
- B.Z. GoldbergHimself
- Sanabel HassanHerself
Recommendations
- 100
Boston Globe
Beautifully crafted and brutally honest. - 100
San Francisco Chronicle
Extraordinary. - 88
Baltimore Sun
Promises may want to unite the audience in humanitarian emotions, but it's more useful as a prod to examine what these children are learning from their schools, their leaders, and their media. - 88
New York Post
Polarized world views from the mouths of babes -- unfortunately does little to mitigate this depressing image, but much to humanize both sides. - 80
New Times (L.A.)
Despite its lively tone and brisk editing, the project's sad epilogue -- shot two years later -- suggests that Abraham and Mohammed will be duking it out on the world's dime for some time to come. - 80
Chicago Reader
Timely and informative. - 80
The New York Times
Demonstrates the unusual power of thoughtful, subjective filmmaking. - 75
Miami Herald
The impact of Promises comes from the openness of the children.
