#620: DARDENNE, Luc & DARDENNE, Jean-Pierre: La Promesse (1996)

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DARDENNE, Luc & DARDENNE, Jean-Pierre (Belgium)
La Promesse [1996]
Spine #620
Blu-ray


La promesse is the breakthrough feature from Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, who would go on to become a force in world filmmaking. The brothers brought the unerring eye for detail and the compassion for those on society's lowest rungs developed in their earlier documentary work to this absorbing drama about a teenager (Jérémie Renier) gradually coming to understand the implications of his father's making a living through the exploitation of undocumented workers. Filmed in the Dardennes' industrial hometown of Seraing, Belgium, La promesse is a brilliantly economical and observant tale of a boy's troubled moral awakening.

94 minutes
Color
5.1 Surround
in French
1:66:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2012
Director/Writers


Luc Dardenne was 42 and Jean-Pierre Dardenne was 45 when they directed La Promesse.

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Sixteen-page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Kent Jones.

Commentary

None.

Conversation

Between film critic Scott Foundas and filmmakers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne.

Interview

Piece featuring actors Renier and Gourmet.

Trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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