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The Promise is an educational film aimed at the masses about the Armenian Genocide. This kind of film has been trying to get made for decades but met a lot of opposition in Hollywood due to it’s ‘controversial’ nature (controversial meaning that genocide denial is still a real thing !!) but here’s the meat of why you should support it, particularly during opening weekend:

ALL PROCEEDS ARE GOING TO NON PROFITS. (source) Elton John’s AIDS foundation will be receiving some of the profits. Additionally, The Promise Institute of Human Rights at the UCLA School of Law  will be funded by the film. Your ticket will be going to great causes!

THE FILM IS AIMED AT A GENERAL AUDIENCE. There have been lots of films made about the Armenian genocide but this is the first with A-list Hollywood celebrities involved (notably, Oscar Isaac and Christian Bale). As an Armenian, I can understand that’s it’s frustrating that the leads are played by non Armenians, but I also am thrilled that the film will receive attention because of this. If you’re not Armenian, please don’t boycott the film in ‘solidarity’ with Armenians due to casting choices, you will help no one.

THE DIRECTOR HAS AIMED THIS FILM TO BE EDUCATIONAL. I have not seen this film, but from what I heard gore and violence has been kept to a minimum in order to make it accessible to a wide audience and hopefully for teaching purposes. Armenians don’t need to learn about the genocide, the world does. 

APRIL 24 IS THE 102th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE. The Armenian genocide despite historical evidence is not recognized by most of the world. Turkey denies it to this day despite the fact that the state still reaps profits from lands taken from Armenians. Education on this topic is vital, as numerous human rights violations continue worldwide, and this film can be a great entry point for public awareness. List of modern genocides courtesy of survival pictures