THE PROMISE Trailer
Who wants to see a movie about genocide? The Promise needs to convince people that they want just that, and it appears to be using romance to make the nasty history lesson more palatable.
Director and co-writer Terry George has pulled off the feat before, turning Hotel Rwanda into a minor hit that people still hold up as an important film (I was shown it in school). Its take on the genocide of the Tutsi in Rwanda was both jarring and entertaining, but its messaging was uncomplicated compared to the denial campaign inhibiting The Promise.
The Armenian Genocide that The Promise is set in is a contentious political matter, with the Turkish government speaking out against anyone classifying it as a genocide. They’ve taken on other governments and even Pope Francis on the matter, so it’s hardly surprising that The Promise is getting caught up in the fight. Its IMDB rating has seen an anomalous amount of one- and ten-star votes, not to mention the fact that it’s racked up over 90,000 votes in total after screening at only two festivals. It seems that the rating has been hijacked by political fervor, and if the film turns into a hit, I doubt that rating will be the only pushback the movie gets.
Sliding under the radar seems unlikely for a film starring Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac, particularly when the independently financed project managed to rack up an estimated $100 million production budget. The Promise is a big war epic with big names behind it, which may push this contentious piece of history to the forefront of people’s minds.
The Promise is directed by Terry George and stars Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon, and Christian Bale. It will be released in the U.S. on April 21st, 2017 and in the U.K. on April 28th, 2017. For international release dates, click here.
Do you think The Promise can overcome any campaigns against it? Let us know in the comments!
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