Steph (Faye Marsay), Joe (George MacKay), Mark (Ben Schnetzer), Mike (Joseph Gilgun), Dai (Paddy Considine), Carl (Kyle Rees) adn Gary (Jack Baggs) in a scene from PRIDE, directed by Matthew Warchus.
Pride (M),
120 minutes
The British are masters at creating stories with a warmth that is infectious.
So, if you can watch Pride and not be moved, you must be made of granite.
The year is 1984 and the mine workers' strike is in full swing. Thousands of men around the country are out of work and their families are struggling to feed themselves.
Based on a true story, miles away in London a gay rights group comes up with the idea of forming a support group to raise money for the battling miners.
They figure they know what it is like to battle a right-wing government and the police for their right to be recognised.
And so LGSM (Lesbians Gays Support the Miners) is formed.
After a number of setbacks, the group finds a struggling Welsh coalmining village ready to accept its support. But the relationship is not accepted by everyone in the community, many of whom cannot cope with homosexuality, thus forcing LGSM to tread carefully.
It is fascinating to watch as the group visits the village and tries to show the miners that they are people just like the villagers.
Although some people see them as out only to push their own barrow, LGSM, led by determined activist Mark (Ben Schnetzer), is in for the long haul and determined to keep the fundraising going.
The premise of Pride may appear simple on the surface but it's a multifaceted story.
There's Joe (George MacKay), a 20-year-old coming to terms with his emerging sexuality.
Gethin (Andrew Scott) has not been back to his Welsh hometown in over 20 years after his parents struggled to cope with his "outing".
The flamboyant Jonathan (Dominic West) has a secret that could have major consequences.
And Welsh village elder Cliff (Bill Nighy) has his own secret.
As the two communities grow closer together there are emotional moments that you cannot help but become involved in.
Pride is one of those films that will absolutely entertain you.
Watch the trailer for Pride below:
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