The Promise

A film set in Ottoman territory during the First World War. Mikael is a young Armenian from a town in the south. He goes to Constantinople to study medicine, his costs met by a betrothal agreement. In the city he is taken in by a wealthy family and meets Ana. She grew up in Paris; with her is Chris, an American journalist. Then the war begins. The arrests, deportations and massacres of Armenians move to the centre. Mikael is sent to a labour camp, escapes and tries to find his family. Chris tries to report what is happening and is arrested. The film takes the events of 1915 as its direct subject, a rare choice in an international production. It caused heavy argument on release and there were organised campaigns on rating sites. The structure is classical: a three-cornered relationship advancing in front of a large historical event. Oscar Isaac plays Mikael, Charlotte Le Bon plays Ana and Christian Bale plays Chris. Terry George directed. The film's earnings were donated to charity. A comprehensive production for anyone who likes historical drama. Before you watch, know this: the film shows deportation and massacre directly and its subject sits in a contested area of history.