International Film Festival For Children And Youth Zlin

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The stories and lessons of the Holocaust remain a potent subject for films coming from Central Europe. Even almost 70 years after the tragic events unfolded, the interest in the subject and its human lessons remains a potent one in contemporary Czech culture. Now that it is free from the Communist yolk that all but repressed the subject (although the superb SHOP ON MAIN STREET, one of the revival highlights of this year's Festival, is an exception to the rule), Czech filmmakers continue to dive into the difficult subject matter to offer perspectives that not only enlighten history but also provide cautionary tales of current tensions around the world.

BROKEN PROMISE, a Czech/Slovak/US co-production from Czech director Jiri Chlumsky, is a fine example of a contemporary take on this historic subject. The film is a powerful drama about the real life story of a Slovak Jew, Martin Friedmann, during the Second World War. At first this talented soccer player from a branched family is not aware of the approaching Nazi threat and voluntarily sets off for the work camp in Seredi where his friend Fred has arranged a place for him on the soccer team. Another journey takes Martin to an infirmary, to a monastery, and even to the partisans. At most of these places he must hide his Jewish identity. The film tells the story of a young man who escaped death not thanks to his heroism, but thanks to luck and his soccer talent.  The film made its international premiere at the 2009 Karlovy Vary Film Festival and has since been seen at film festivals in Berlin, Gothenberg, Warsaw, Pusan, Paris and Palm Springs.

Director Jiří Chlumský graduated with a directing degree from the famed FAMU Film School.  He initially worked at Krátký Film Praha and externally for Czech Television. He made many films, series, and especially fairytales for television, including several films offered for Oscar consideration. In this striking drama, he decides to focus  on the episodic nature of the story, capturing significant turning points in Martin's wartime life and illustrating his great desire to survive. The film is in competition in the Films from Visegrad Countries section.

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor