Pride
Special Presentations
The true story of a group of queer folks from London setting out to help a Welsh village during the miner’s strike of 1984-85, Pride is a mash of odd couples and triumphs over oppression that satisfies, but predictable archetypes and glossed-over challenges are a drawback.
Mark (Ben Schnetzer) forms Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners in a show of solidarity from one marginalized group to another. His hard-partying friends, however, are reluctant to join, and the miner’s union is reluctant to have their support, and ultimately a core group approaches a Welsh village to offer financial aid directly. LGSM and the Dullais Valley Lodge make an unlikely pairing, but friendship and support come from both sides as the strike carries on through a long winter, with a helping of dancing queens and fiery miners’ wives.
Bill Nighy puts in a beautifully subtle performance as local historian Cliff, but the young cast shines the most. Schnetzer is especially passionate and affecting, even as Mark is written into a well-worn hero’s arc of excitement, disillusionment and eventual renewal of faith. Indeed, many characters fall into familiar tropes, and it’s somewhat frustrating to see some of the perpetual issues in solidarity movements be brushed aside. It’s something that still happens to this day, and in the film serves as a reminder of how far we have to go in building bridges among us. (Jenna Hossack)
Screens
Saturday, September 6th, 2:45 PM, VISA Screening Room (Elgin) (Premium)
Sunday, September 7th, 12:30 PM, Isabel Bader Theatre
Thanks to SPiN TORONTO for sponsoring our TIFF 2014 coverage.
