Why is it called “Eastern Promises”?

Question

The plot of the movie Eastern Promises depends on Russian gangsters and prostitution things.

I didn't find the word "promise" in any expression of the movie's characters.

Why is it called "Eastern Promises"?

Answer 1

I don't think there's definitive word; this blog post speculates:

The title could cover a dozen meanings, one being the promises told to poor young Eastern girls about a better life in the West.

This is somewhat corroborated by this interview with Cronenberg:

I remember when I first picked up the script and saw the title, Eastern Promises. I thought, this sounds like a cheap perfume, especially since in North America, “Eastern” doesn’t mean Russia, whereas in England it does.