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Melbourne · 1953 — 1974

Promised — a feature film by Nick Conidi

  • Tina Arena
  • Paul Mercurio
  • Antoniette Iesue
  • Daniel Berini
The promise · 1953

Melbourne · 1953

Promised in marriage. 

Rosalba Cavelli is found heavily pregnant and in trouble on the floor of the family pastry shop. Two customers, Joe and Maria Prima, get her to hospital in time. Angela is born that day, and her father Sal never stops owing them.

The Primas are respected, well established and quietly connected. When five-year-old Robert comforts the newborn, the two fathers take the gesture as a sign, shake hands, and promise the children to each other.

Love is never perfectly arranged

Two families in a Melbourne living room in 1953; the fathers shake hands across the table while the baby sleeps in her bassinet.

Twenty-one years

1953

Melbourne · 1974

Expected to marry, at any cost. 

Angela is twenty-one, studying English literature at university, with plans that reach well past the counter of the family pastry shop.

Robert is twenty-five and just back from five years studying law at Oxford. His return puts the promise back on the table, and both families expect it honoured.

Angela has a boyfriend, Tom. Rosalba decides he is unsuitable and holds her daughter to the arrangement. When Angela works out what the Prima name could mean for Tom's safety, her fury turns to fear, and she agrees to the wedding.

Angela at her dressing table in 1974, typing, her reflection repeated in the mirrors.
Angela, 1974

Official trailer

Press

  • “A warm, relatable and heartfelt piece”
    The AU ReviewNatalie Salvo
  • “A charming romantic dramedy”
    The Jam ReportDoug Jamieson
  • “Captures something real”
    ScreenHubscreenhub.com.au

Official selection

  • Lavazza Italian Film Festival · 2019

93 minutes · 2.35:1 · 5.1 & Stereo · DCP & ProRes QT