Pride (movie) - when Welsh miners and gay activists teamed up to fight Thatcher
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friedaweed
Me and me girl named Jane
Just watched it at a preview with my teenage daughter thanks to the heads up here.
Never seen a cinema full of people moved so much by a film. Tissues everywhere and people standing up crying, laughing and clapping their hands. Pretty much a standing ovation. Some fucking brilliant performances.
Top notch fillum
Never seen a cinema full of people moved so much by a film. Tissues everywhere and people standing up crying, laughing and clapping their hands. Pretty much a standing ovation. Some fucking brilliant performances.
Top notch fillum
I wonder if Casually Red will be going to see this?
goldenecitrone
post tenebras lux
When's the opening night in Novorussiya? Hope it's subtitled, rather than dubbed.
cantsin
Well-Known Member
Just watched it at a preview with my teenage daughter thanks to the heads up here.
Never seen a cinema full of people moved so much by a film. Tissues everywhere and people standing up crying, laughing and clapping their hands. Pretty much a standing ovation. Some fucking brilliant performances.
Top notch fillum
As a matter of interest, was that London ? Sound like heartwarming response, look fwd to seeing how our gloomy ol N devon audience responds.
friedaweed
Me and me girl named Jane
No I watched it at Cheshire Oaks on the Wirral up here in the North West. I honestly think any audience will have the same response. It's such a very moving, touchingly funny, gutsy and also quite a sad film. I remember that era only too well and there was massive support for the minors in our region, we had our own manufacturing industries decimated by the witch as well but the homophobia of the times was I think the part of the emotional tear pull for a lot of people in the audience. Obviously I can't really speak for others but you could see the tissues coming out and hear the sighs.
There's a part in the film where one of the miners wives stands up and leads the cast in song. If the hairs don't go up on the back of your neck at that point and your tear gland doesnae flinch then it's over for you
If you're not moved by that film down in Devon there's nothing left for ya
or maybe I'm just a big softy 
friedaweed
Me and me girl named Jane
It's a BBC job. It's definitely got money behind it. I predict a blockbuster response, they know exactly what they are doing with the freeview previews
Good marketing IMO.
cantsin
Well-Known Member
No I watched it at Cheshire Oaks on the Wirral up here in the North West. I honestly think any audience will have the same response. It's such a very moving, touchingly funny, gutsy and also quite a sad film. I remember that era only too well and there was massive support for the minors in our region, we had our own manufacturing industries decimated by the witch as well but the homophobia of the times was I think the part of the emotional tear pull for a lot of people in the audience. Obviously I can't really speak for others but you could see the tissues coming out and hear the sighs.
There's a part in the film where one of the miners wives stands up and leads the cast in song. If the hairs don't go up on the back of your neck at that point and your tear gland doesnae flinch then it's over for you
If you're not moved by that film down in Devon there's nothing left for ya
probably going to be about 12 people in there like when i went to see the Ian Dury fill, will see !
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I saw this film last night, at the freebie preview in Croydon. Surprisingly, the cinema wasn't even full!
I loved the film, though, and it brought back so many memories of both of those struggles.
Spotted this article this morning, which I thought was interesting. It includes interviews with some of the real people portrayed in the film. http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/aug/31/pride-film-gay-activists-miners-strike-interview
I loved the film, though, and it brought back so many memories of both of those struggles.
Spotted this article this morning, which I thought was interesting. It includes interviews with some of the real people portrayed in the film. http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/aug/31/pride-film-gay-activists-miners-strike-interview
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
Saw it this afternoon and loved it. Only around 20 people in the cinema though, probably because it was work hours.
Definitely want to see it again. Few moments of grit in my eyes, and having not read this thread or anything about Ashton, the end was a bit of a surprise
Definitely want to see it again. Few moments of grit in my eyes, and having not read this thread or anything about Ashton, the end was a bit of a surprise
brixtonscot
Well-Known Member
Streathamite
ideological dogmatist
if the woman in question was quite young then, then there is every chance her name is Sian james, and she is now the MP for Swansea East
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I am looking for details of that showing at Peckham, but can't find them. Do you have a link, brixtonscot ?
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I also loved the bit where the women sing Bread and Roses, and was curious as to who it was with the wonderful voice, who sings the first verse. Now I know, so am sharing 
She is called Bronwen Lewis.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/bronwen-lewis-voice-finds-fame-7231041
She is called Bronwen Lewis.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/bronwen-lewis-voice-finds-fame-7231041
friedaweed
Me and me girl named Jane
She made me cry in front of my daughterI also loved the bit where the women sing Bread and Roses, and was curious as to who it was with the wonderful voice, who sings the first verse. Now I know, so am sharing
She is called Bronwen Lewis.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/bronwen-lewis-voice-finds-fame-7231041
oryx
Sitting on the bok of the day
Saw this tonight. I was blown away by it emotionally, partly because of my own memories of supporting the miners and gay rights and the general feel of the time, and partly because of the film's theme of different communities coming together against a common oppressor.
There have been comparisons to 'Billy Elliot' and 'Brassed Off'. Not having seen these films I can't make a direct comparison but had mixed feelings about the interpretation of it as a 'feelgood' film. It has many upbeat moments (the scene at the benefit gig made me want to join in!) and the overall message of solidarity is upbeat, but there is darkness in there - real darkness which is not overcome as it might be in a 'feelgood' film. The portrayal of Mark by Ben Schnetzer really gives a feel for his anxiety about what is to come. The two homophobic women (Maureen the committee chair and Joe's mother) are also chillingly realistic. I found myself really detesting Maureen, then saying to myself 'but she's only a character in a film' then thinking 'no, she was real'.
The film is really well-made (some great shots of landscapes and the Severn Bridge) and the acting impressive – especially Schnetzer.
It will be good to see this important film get the audiences it deserves. There was an ovation at the end where I saw it (The Gate, Notting Hill). Can't recommend it enough really.
There have been comparisons to 'Billy Elliot' and 'Brassed Off'. Not having seen these films I can't make a direct comparison but had mixed feelings about the interpretation of it as a 'feelgood' film. It has many upbeat moments (the scene at the benefit gig made me want to join in!) and the overall message of solidarity is upbeat, but there is darkness in there - real darkness which is not overcome as it might be in a 'feelgood' film. The portrayal of Mark by Ben Schnetzer really gives a feel for his anxiety about what is to come. The two homophobic women (Maureen the committee chair and Joe's mother) are also chillingly realistic. I found myself really detesting Maureen, then saying to myself 'but she's only a character in a film' then thinking 'no, she was real'.
The film is really well-made (some great shots of landscapes and the Severn Bridge) and the acting impressive – especially Schnetzer.
It will be good to see this important film get the audiences it deserves. There was an ovation at the end where I saw it (The Gate, Notting Hill). Can't recommend it enough really.
friendofdorothy
Solidarity against neoliberalism!
In The Ritzy in Brixton it got a round of applase.
Yes that bit was lovely - really moving.I also loved the bit where the women sing Bread and Roses, and was curious as to who it was with the wonderful voice, who sings the first verse. Now I know, so am sharing
She is called Bronwen Lewis.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/bronwen-lewis-voice-finds-fame-7231041
belboid
Exasperated, not angry.
There are always dark moments in 'feelgood' films They're required to contrast with the good bits!
Pride follows the essential outline for any feelgood film pretty much to a T. But it does do it very well indeed, Dominic West, Ben Schnetzer & Faye Marsay are all excellent, the script dodges cliche, and it all looks great (well, except for the bits which are meant to look fucking grim).
Anyone who doesn't well up at the end has no heart or soul.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
"My Beautiful Laundrette" is one film I rate about that period made in 1985. That film was a big hit at the time though seems to be forgotten now. Covered a lot of issues in one film.
Good post. I was not sure about seeing Pride as thought it might be romcom trivialization of that period. After seeing posts here I will try to see it.
I take your point about 30 years distance.
I had forgotten but in its early days Channel 4 did give a voice to minorities. Something it gave up on later on.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Saw Pride today.
Other posters have already mentioned that it moved the audience. At Ritzy (London) it got applause at end of film. It did move people. Including me. I did find myself swept along with it. Partly as I am sympathetic to its politics I think. A plus point of film is that it is made so that one is almost compelled to be swept along with it imo. As such I think its a great political film in the good sense of propaganda. There is good use of soundtrack.
As a film its not perfect. This is not a criticism of the films politics. This is a film not a protest or demo.
Some great performances made a lot of difference. The director managed to tread the line between feelgood movie and making some serious points.
I think that the beginning of film was excellent. Felt it sagged a bit in middle at times. Yes I got the message about gays / welsh small village culture clash. It did not have to be repeated so often. But was saved by some great set pieces. The disco dance in the miners hall for example. The last third tried to cram so much in that it was rushed.
The last third was interesting as it went more deeply into the politics. This tied in with some of ideas from the beginning and middle of film.
The gay movement was not one thing. The film is about those who saw gay rights and wider Labour struggles as linked. Others in gay movement wanted to get equality but did not want to link the movement for gay equality tied to a wider socialist movement.
I found it very interesting to see the 80s "Rainbow" alliance politics on screen. In long run those in gay movement who saw struggle for gay rights as part of a wider socialist politics lost out to those who went for equality before the law only ( ie right to be in army, be a openly gay business owner etc.)
In the films favour it puts forward a plausible argument the a socialist sexual politics is credible and not to be dismissed as out of date 80s.
The films message for this present day is that solidarity is all important. Not in the sense that one should show solidarity but its something that people need. A message that it puts across well. It is through others that we find our individuality and sense of self.
Its what has been lost since Thatcher.
Other posters have already mentioned that it moved the audience. At Ritzy (London) it got applause at end of film. It did move people. Including me. I did find myself swept along with it. Partly as I am sympathetic to its politics I think. A plus point of film is that it is made so that one is almost compelled to be swept along with it imo. As such I think its a great political film in the good sense of propaganda. There is good use of soundtrack.
As a film its not perfect. This is not a criticism of the films politics. This is a film not a protest or demo.
Some great performances made a lot of difference. The director managed to tread the line between feelgood movie and making some serious points.
I think that the beginning of film was excellent. Felt it sagged a bit in middle at times. Yes I got the message about gays / welsh small village culture clash. It did not have to be repeated so often. But was saved by some great set pieces. The disco dance in the miners hall for example. The last third tried to cram so much in that it was rushed.
The last third was interesting as it went more deeply into the politics. This tied in with some of ideas from the beginning and middle of film.
The gay movement was not one thing. The film is about those who saw gay rights and wider Labour struggles as linked. Others in gay movement wanted to get equality but did not want to link the movement for gay equality tied to a wider socialist movement.
I found it very interesting to see the 80s "Rainbow" alliance politics on screen. In long run those in gay movement who saw struggle for gay rights as part of a wider socialist politics lost out to those who went for equality before the law only ( ie right to be in army, be a openly gay business owner etc.)
In the films favour it puts forward a plausible argument the a socialist sexual politics is credible and not to be dismissed as out of date 80s.
The films message for this present day is that solidarity is all important. Not in the sense that one should show solidarity but its something that people need. A message that it puts across well. It is through others that we find our individuality and sense of self.
Its what has been lost since Thatcher.
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Here we go. They basically took a whole "block" of Kingsgate Road almost outside my front door, and made up false shop fronts with old "01" London numbers on, brought in an 80s phone box, bins and other "street furniture".
They were filming here for around a fortnight last October. The main one being a replica of the "Gays The Word" book shop and flat above.
http://www.camdennewjournal.com/new...t-hampstead-street-go-back-1980s-new-bbc-film
They were filming here for around a fortnight last October. The main one being a replica of the "Gays The Word" book shop and flat above.
http://www.camdennewjournal.com/new...t-hampstead-street-go-back-1980s-new-bbc-film
Wilf
Slouching towards Billingham
Saw it in Boro last night - fantastic film. As well as the politics and the feel good it was beautifully filmed, just great stuff all round. So many memories! Only downer was there were only about 30 there, in the film's first week (admittedly, the teatime showing, so would have been more later).
Fuck, I'm not normally a Billy Bragg fan, but finishing the film with Power in a Union pushed me over the edge! I'd been stoical and dry eyed all the way through as well. I even learned it on the guitar when I got home!
Fuck, I'm not normally a Billy Bragg fan, but finishing the film with Power in a Union pushed me over the edge! I'd been stoical and dry eyed all the way through as well. I even learned it on the guitar when I got home!
Nancy_Winks
Well-Known Member
What rating is it? Can I take the kids?
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