You are here:

Broken Promise

Broken Promise

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

2009

TV-14

Director

Jiří Chlumský

Runtime

135 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Broken Promise is a sophisticated historical critique that prioritizes the lived experiences of a underrepresented group over the glorification of dominant political powers. It successfully dismantles the myth of social stability by showing how systemic upheaval deconstructs personal identity. While the film excels in portraying ethnic ability to act and institutional corruption, it does not engage with modern identity politics regarding gender or sexuality. The focus remains firmly on the religious and ethnic tensions of the era.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Broken Promise have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film lacks representation of LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The story focuses exclusively on ethnic and religious survival during the onset of World War II.

How does Broken Promise portray gender?

Fair

The narrative centers on a male protagonist, though female characters navigate the domestic realities of wartime survival. The period setting suggests roles remain largely tied to traditional familial structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Broken Promise?

Excellent

The film provides actively leading representation of the Jewish minority in Slovakia. It centers the Jewish experience to challenge traditional, Eurocentric historical perspectives.

How does Broken Promise represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story explores the breakdown of community and social stability under radicalized ideology. It critiques the corruption of nationalistic institutions and the failure of established social orders.

Does Broken Promise include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of disability representation within the film's narrative.

Present on Screen

  • Provides actively leading representation of the Jewish experience during systemic oppression.
  • Offers a nuanced critique of how radicalized institutions dismantle community stability.
  • Challenges traditional historical clichés by focusing on domestic and communal dissolution.

Limited or Absent

  • Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight-centered narratives.
  • Gender roles appear tethered to traditional familial structures of the period.
  • No visible representation of characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Slovakia, on the eve of the outbreak of World War II. The family of the young Jewish Martin Friedmann gathers to celebrate his bar mitzvah and make a solemn promise that they will all meet again a year later around the same table; but the storms of war and anti-Semitic fanaticism will lead each of them down very different paths.

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.