Past screening

The Promise

Directed by: Marcus Vetter, Karin Steinberger
Runtime: 1hr 57min Year: 2016
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Details

Directed by: Marcus Vetter, Karin Steinberger
Runtime: 1hr 57min Year: 2016
Country: Germany, United States
Last Screened: Thu 2nd Feb 2017

The gruesome murders of Nancy and Derek Haysom in 1985 were an international media sensation...

“A true crime story, meticulous and thrilling“ – Hamburg Morning Post

“A shocking story of love and betrayal” – Taz

The Haysoms were wealthy, respected members of Virginia society, and the murder conviction of their daughter Elizabeth and her German boyfriend Jens Soering sent shock-waves through the rural community of Bedford County.

Elizabeth and Jens had met in a university program for high achieving students. She was a product of European boarding schools, he was the son of a diplomat. After being arrested in London, England, for passing bad checks in 1986, they were both extradited to the United States and have now spent over 30 years behind bars.

After a high-profile, televised trial – the first of its kind – the prosecution felt that justice had been served. But Elizabeth’s and Jens’s versions differ wildly, encompassing dark family secrets, selfless love and broken promises. Following the discovery of stunning new evidence, this brilliantly crafted film aims to get to the bottom of what really happened all those years ago.