Promises- Palestinian and Israeli Children Learn
Shapiro and Goldberg's Documentary of Child Neighbors Worlds Apart
Oct 28, 2009
BZ Goldberg and Justine Shapiro's film, Promises, documents the unique and separate lives of young children from 9 to 12 who are neighbors yet who are culturally, politically and socioeconomically very far from one another. The documentary was filmed over a period of four years, following the children's lives. The children and their families are seen in their natural settings at home, at school, and in their places of worship in Israel; some live in the Palestinian refugee camp, other live in the Jewish settlement areas, still others live in Jerusalem. One family struggles as the father is imprisoned without trial; they make regular treks to visit him in prison, a long journey and a harsh one, especially for the young children. The aspects of daily life in a land under occupation, whatever side of the barriers, are seen in this moving film.
The profiled children include:
- Yarko and Daniel - Jewish secular twins who live in Jerusalem
- Farag - a Palestinian from Deheishe Refugee Camp
- Sanabel - a Palestinian girl from Deheishe Refugee Camp
- Shlomo - an ultraorthodox Jewis boy from the Jewish Quarter
- Mahmoud - a Palestinian boy from Jerusalem
- Moishe and Raheli - from Beit El, West Bank
The historical context which has created the divisions is interspersed between current daily life, creating an interesting slice-of-life feel to the film.
Jerusalem, a Divided City in a Nation of Divided People, Divided Culture
This documentary provides a rare look at the everyday lives of people trapped living with people they do not understand nor wish to know. A Palestinian grandparent tries to explain to her grandchild the circumstances which led to their abandonment of their homes as they fled to safety in the camps, where they still live today. A Jewish grandparent tries to discuss the situation with his own grandsons. The generational anger and frustration are passed onto the young children, who pray and believe they will one day return to their land and liberate their people, or will one day live in peace. But meanwhile, there are casualties, such as the young Palestinian friend of one of the children in the film, who was killed by a soldier when he tossed a stone into a building; and one of the Jewish children recalls when his friend and his friend's mother were murdered, gunned down by terrorists as they drove in their car. At all festivities and on the streets, there is the ever-present show of force by soldiers,the constant reminder that no one, on either side, is safe. As one of the children comments, "both sides suffer..both sides lose."
Shapiro and Goldberg Bridge the Gap by Making the Children Visible to One Another
After watching the different places and lifestyles that exist in this part of the world, the filmmakers then take us to a meeting with children from both sides of the divide. One of the young Palestinian boys is obviously suffering and experiencing a great internal struggle. Each side has stories of loss and pain; neither side has any answers. But by bringing these children together, to enable them to recognize the price each side is paying for the historical resentments and grief, the directors appear to hope to begin a process of understanding and healing. They even accept donations in order to get the film into as many hands as possible. It is an effective film, a fascinating view of a conflict as seen through the eyes of children, and one that is sure to touch many hearts.
106 minutes.
NOMINATIONS
- Best Feature Documentary, 74th Annual Academy Awards
- Emmy Award, Carlos Bolado for Best Editor
- Best Documentary, IFP Spirit Awards
- Truer than Fiction Award, IFP Spirit Awards
AWARDS (partial list)
- 2003 One World Broadcast Trust Award for the Children's Rights Category, UK.
- 2002 Emmy Award “Best Documentary”
- 2002 Emmy Award “Outstanding Background Analysis”
- 2002 The NBR Freedom of Expression Citation National Board of Review
- 2002 The Michael Landon Award for Community Service to Youth 23rd Annual Young Artist Awards
- 2001 Rotterdam International Film Festival. Audience Award and Best Film
- 2001 Munich Film Festival Freedom of Expression Award
- 2001 Jerusalem Film Festival Special Festival Award
- 2001 Locarno International Film Festival Special Ecumenical Jury Prize
- 2001 SF International Film Festival Audience Award, Best Documentary Grand Prize, Best Documentary Golden Gate Award, Documentary Film
- 2001 Vancouver International Film Festival Audience Award, Diversity in Spirit Award
- 2001 Hamptons International Film Festival Best Documentary
- 2001 Sao Paulo International Film Festival Best Documentary Audience Award
- 2001 Valladolid International Film Festival Best Documentary
- 2001 Paris International Film Festival (Rencontres) Audience Award-Best Film
Written, Produced & Directed by Justine Shapiro & B.Z. Goldberg
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