The Promise (2016 German film)

The Promise (original title: Das Versprechen) is a German documentary film directed by Marcus Vetter with Karin Steinberger. The film tells the crime story of the double murder of Derek and Nancy Haysom on 30 March 1985 in Lynchburg, Virginia. The film focuses on the two main protagonists Jens Söring, son of a German diplomat, and Elizabeth Haysom, the daughter of the murdered couple. Both were sentenced to life in prison. The film makes use of extensive original footage from press archives as the two court cases of were the first lawsuits to be broadcast nationwide on American television. In the film these recordings from 1985 to 1990 are combined with scenes shot in today's time, including interviews with the main protagonist Jens Söring, witnesses, the investigators involved in the case, lawyers, prosecutors and journalists. In addition extensive materials like original crime scene photos and evidence, court transcripts, newspaper archives, love letters and diaries of the main protagonists were evaluated in the film.

The film makes use of reenactments featuring the voices of Daniel Brühl (as Söring) and Imogen Poots (as Haysom). It premiered at the Munich International Film Festival^[1] and was released theatrically in October 2016.

The film has its North American premiere on November 5 at the Virginia Film Festival.^[2] Further festival screenings will be at the Denver Film Festival and Doc NYC.

References

External links

• The Promise at the Internet Movie Database
• official movie website