MIDDLE EAST/USA: OSCAR NOMINATED DOCUMENTARY "PROMISES" PUTS A DIFFERENT SPIN ON THE ISRAELI PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

Record ID: 392503

  • Title: MIDDLE EAST/USA: OSCAR NOMINATED DOCUMENTARY "PROMISES" PUTS A DIFFERENT SPIN ON THE ISRAELI PALESTINIAN CONFLICT
  • Date: 24th February 2002
  • Summary: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (FEBRUARY 25, 2002) (REUTERS) MS PALESTINIAN GUNMAN; PULL OUT PEOPLE LOOKING AT ISRAELI BULLDOZER (0.18)
  • Embargoed: 11th March 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA AND VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: Conflict,General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAD8F9CSNQT3QYJRKEOX0YSEE0R
  • Story Text: As the world watches the latest outbreaks of violence in the Middle East, an Oscar nominated documentary called "Promises" puts a different spin on the conflict as seen through the eyes of young children.
    "Promises" is an Oscar-nominated documentary that explores the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the eyes of children.
    Although the film was shot in a time of relative calm during the Oslo accords the audience watch it in the context of the recent violence of the intifada.
    Set in this context the voices of the seven children, both Palestinian and Israeli are especially relevant. Through Co-Director B.Z. Goldberg the audience meet Shlomo, an orthodox Jewish boy who prays at the Western wall; Mahmoud, a Palestinian boy who supports Hamas, and a Palestinian girl Sanabel who lives in a camp and who is a dancer.
    Co-Director Justine Shapiro got the idea for the documentary in 1995 when she went to Israel to shoot an episode of "Lonely Planet" during the signing of the Oslo peace accord. According to Shapiro, at this time many of the children were angry that their voices went unheard.
    "Promises" provides an outlet for these unheard feelings.
    Through the children the audience is able to get a glimpse of the complex emotions that have dominated the conflict on both sides. The children share their feelings about their counterparts and generations of war with Director B.Z.
    Goldberg who becomes simultaneously an observer, interviewer and friend.
    The climax of film occurs when the Israeli and Palestinian children decide to meet of their own accord. The directors say this meeting was completely unplanned but is the beauty of documentary which is a discovery of unscripted events.
    The directors made efforts to keep the film from being a dry documentary. It makes audiences laugh as they come to care equally about children on both sides of the conflict.
    The filmwith an epilogue two years later. The children, now 13-15 years old, share their views on the "other," their thoughts and their dreams for the future. The producers hope it will leave audiences wanting to learn more about this war that has dominated 20th century world politics. The film is a nominated for best Documentary Feature at the 74th Annual Academy Awards to be held in Los Angeles in March 2002.
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