On Dardenne Brothers’ The Promise (La Promesse)

Watched a very Russian, almost Dostoevskian Film Made in Belgium: La Promesse (1996)

This film made these the two directors and their actors famous, and for a good reason.

Specialists talk about neorealism, and hand-held camera, and sparing use of music, and great acting – all of which clearly contribute to the effect of the film, making it more direct and guttural.

But I really like the plot and the way it was delivered.

The film centers on the fifteen year old boy and his moral universe. There is poverty, and misery, and violence, and abuse, and corruption, and victims turning into victimizers, and all other Dostoevskian topics. And yet, there are jewel of the characters capable of transformation and transcendence. Again, very much like in Dostoevsky.

There is a tremendous pressure on the boy to do the wrong thing, pressure coming from his father, and lack of positive examples, and rough, unforgiving environment. Yet, in the manner of Huck Finn, the boy does the opposite. Call it conscience, or imagination, or latent innocence, or divine spark, but it forces him to choose the narrow, but right path. To see how it worked – and the actor is stunning – is truly uplifting.

It is so nice to know that films like that continue to be made, and that they attract both audiences and critics. A lot of talented people think that art is nothing but style and attitude. Yet, when you see a real film, like this Promise, all these silly constructions are shattered, and true art shines through.