Promises Poster

Promises 2001

★ 7.539 votes106 min📅 2001-07-06

Explore the raw humanity of childhood caught in the crossfire of conflict through *Promises (2001)*, a powerful documentary nominated for the 2002 Oscar for Best Feature Documentary. Directed by Carlos Bolado alongside Justine Shapiro and B.Z.

Director: Carlos Bolado

Cast

Moishe Bar Am
Self
B. Z. Goldberg
Self
Sanabel Hassan
Self

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Promises (2001) about?

*Promises (2001)* takes you into the lives of Israeli and Palestinian children living amidst chronic violence and political tension. It captures their unfiltered perspectives on identity, fear, and hope while exploring how conflict shapes young minds in a land where borders and beliefs often collide.

Who directed Promises?

Carlos Bolado co-directed *Promises* alongside Justine Shapiro and B.Z. Goldberg, guiding this emotionally raw exploration of childhood in a fractured society.

Who stars in Promises?

The film features powerful contributions from Moishe Bar Am, B.Z. Goldberg, and Sanabel Hassan, whose voices anchor this intimate look at young lives intertwined with conflict.

Is Promises (2001) worth watching?

With its Oscar-nominated status and unflinching portrayal of childhood resilience amid hardship, *Promises (2001)* is a must-watch for anyone interested in documentaries that transcend politics to focus on human stories. The film's emotional honesty and thoughtful pacing make it both compelling and thought-provoking.

How long is Promises?

*Promises (2001)* runs for 106 minutes, offering a concise yet deeply immersive viewing experience.

🎥 Trailer

About Promises (2001) — A heartbreaking look at childhood in a world at war

Explore the raw humanity of childhood caught in the crossfire of conflict through *Promises (2001)*, a powerful documentary nominated for the 2002 Oscar for Best Feature Documentary. Directed by Carlos Bolado alongside Justine Shapiro and B.Z. Goldberg, this intimate film immerses viewers in the lives of 11-to-13-year-old children living in Israel and the West Bank, where walls, violence, and rigid ideologies shape their daily existence.

Through candid conversations, the young participants—Palestinian and Israeli alike—share their fears, hopes, and misconceptions about one another, painting a portrait of innocence navigating a world divided by religion, politics, and history. The documentary builds to a heart-stirring climax when two Israeli children step into a Palestinian refugee camp, bridging divides in a moment that challenges viewers to rethink what divides us from them.