BESA: The Promise makes its way back to Colorado giving the community of Denver a chance to see the award winning and internationally acclaimed documentary featuring an original score by Philip Glass, at the Denver Jewish Film Festival:
Tuesday February 12th, 5:40pm
Elaine Wolf Theatre, MACCJCC
350 S. Dahlia St. Denver, CO 80246
BESA: The Promise follows the modern-day quests of two men: American photographer Norman H. Gershman and Albanian toyshop owner Rexhep Hoxha. Their parallel journeys reveal the nearly unknown WWII story of thousands of Jews rescued in Albania, a majority Muslim country. The Albanian moral code of besa requires a promise of protection to anyone requesting it, and carries across generations. Rexhep Hoxha’s father sheltered a Jewish family who left behind three precious Hebrew books. Kept hidden during the nearly half-century of repressive communism following the war, Rexhep must now fulfill his father’s besa and return the books – if he can find the family. When Rexhep meets Norman, an unexpected drama is set in motion, uniting fathers and sons, Muslims and Jews.
Following the screening Producer Bill Morgan will be on hand for a Q&A.
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD
Last month, BESA: The Promise opened to two sold out screenings in its hometown at the Washington Jewish Film Festival and took home the Audience Award for Best Documentary. At the WJFF screening BESA: The Promise also proved a great subject of interest for a local social group JAM DC (Jewish and Muslims). JAM celebrated their monthly “dinner and a movie” night by attending a screening of BESA: The Promise.
EUROPEAN PREMIERE
BESA: The Promise made its European premiere in Tirana, Albania on November 8th at the 13th Festival of Albanian Film in the 100th Independence Year. Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Speaker of Parliament Jozefina Topalli and Minister of Culture Aldo Bumçi were all in attendance. Also present was Rexhep Hoxha, whose story is central to the film. The capacity crowd gave the film a standing ovation. Although not in competition, BESA: The Promise was presented with a Special Jury Award by the Festival at the closing night gala.
A short video of the visit to Albania can be seen on the film’s Facebook page.
To view a trailer of BESA: The Promise, please visit besathepromise.com. Presskit, links to reviews and publicity stills are available atbesathepromise.com/press. BESA: The Promise is a production of JWM Productions, the multiple Emmy Award-winning documentary company created in 1996 by Jason Williams and Bill Morgan. For more information about JWM Productions, please visit www.jwmprods.com.
The Producers of BESA: The Promise gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities in the making of this film.