Review of La Promesse (1996) by Sarah F — 12 Jul 2006

A father and son are involved in apeople smuggling ring and are essentially using the immigrants for slave labour on their building site. Things seem to be working out for the pair until one of the African workers falls at work and they have to vover up his death. However, the boy makes a promise to the dying man that he will look after his wife and child, thus directing him on a collision course with his abusive father.

This a decent European film that treats the issue of illegal immigration in a stark and down-to-earth manner. The desperate situation which African migrants find themselves in is effectively conveyed through solid acting and a well structured script. The depressive winter blue tone of the cinematography adds to the bleak atmosphere. The film does have some weak points most notably the sudden moral integrity of the young boy and the simplistic moral undertones of sin and redemption. Worth a rent at least.