La Promesse (1996)

Igor, aged 15, and his father Roger deal in housing and peddling illicit labor in the outlying districts of Liege, Belgium. Scams, lies and swindling rule their lives. When one of his father’s illegal workers gets injured on the job and asks Igor to promise to take care of his wife and baby, Igor finds himself at a crossroad. He wants to keep the promise, but the price would be to betray his father.

Genres: Drama

What to watch after La Promesse

• Rosetta (1999) — Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne directed both
• The Kid with a Bike (2011) — Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne directed both
• Lorna's Silence (2008) — Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne directed both
• Breaking the Waves (1996) — Same feel: dramatic, emotional
• Souleymane's Story (2024) — Same feel: dramatic, emotional
• Paris, Je T'aime (2006) — Two steps away in the credits