Asbarez – The month of April marks the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. It’s also a time when the California legislature appropriately adds its voice in recognition of these tragic events. This year, The Promise, the first major motion picture about the Armenian Genocide, is premiering across the country on April 21. The Promise will be screened in Sacramento as part of the special Capitol commemorations of the Armenian Genocide on April 17 organized by the new Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange.
In addition, the Academy Award winning Director of the film, Terry George, will be in Sacramento on April 17 to meet Legislators and present the film. Special guests from The Promise, including actress Angela Sarafyan, will also be in Sacramento.
Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge), Chair of the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange, commented:
“I am excited to help facilitate this screening in Sacramento. Films are a powerful way of communicating important issues such as genocide awareness. The Promise is the first of its kind production about the Armenian Genocide. I believe that this film can be an important tool for informing and inspiring people to take action and become part of the anti-genocide movement. I look forward to having my colleagues join me in welcoming our guests from The Promise and watching this film.”
The Promise tells the story of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey at the outset of WWI. It was written by Terry George and Robin Swicord and directed by Terry George, who also directed Hotel Rwanda. The Promise stars Oscar Isaac, Christian Bale, Charlotte Le Bon, and Angela Sarafyan. It was produced by Open Road and Survival Pictures.
The screening is the first event coordinated by the California, Armenia and Artsakh Senate Select Committee. In addition to Chair Portantino, the committee’s senate includes Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, Tony Mendoza, Josh Newman and Scott Wilk.
Portantino on March 20 introduced Senate Resolution 29 designating the month of April for commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. The Resolution also calls on the Republic of Turkey to return confiscated church properties to their rightful congregations. The resolution was co-authored by all the members of the State Senate California, Armenian & Artsakh Select Committee, including Pro Tem Kevin De Leon, Scott Wilk, Tony Mendoza and Josh Newman.
Empires fall, love survives. When Michael (Oscar Isaac), a brilliant medical student, meets Ana (Charlotte Le Bon), their shared Armenian heritage sparks an attraction that explodes into a romantic rivalry between Michael and Ana’s boyfriend Chris (Christian Bale), a famous American photojournalist dedicated to exposing political truth. As the Ottoman Empire crumbles into war-torn chaos, their conflicting passions must be deferred while they join forces to get their people to safety and survive themselves. The Promise is directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker Terry George.