TIFF 2014: Day Four
Sep. 8th, 2014 04:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
przedI've got a few spare minutes before I've got to dash off and pick up Ros, so I thought I'd put up at least one quick film fest review. And I thought I'd pick the one that might be most relevant to the interests of people on my flist: Pride.
This is a fictional account of the true story of LGSM, Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, a group of London activists who decided to support a small Welsh mining village during the miner's strike in '80s Britain.
Here's a shot of the activists in question:
With the exception of Dominic West in the middle of the back row, (ETA: And Andrew Scott! I forgot Andrew Scott!) they're mostly young, unknown actors, but they're all wonderful. The people in the mining village are more recognizable faces (Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Paddy Considine), and are also wonderful. The movie is smartly written, funny and heartwarming, but also has some bite, given the politics involved. I loved it, and I wasn't alone. The entire audience rose to its feet during the credits to give the filmmakers an extended standing ovation. And while Toronto's film fest audience has the rep of being enthusiastic, we're not always that enthusiastic. The film really is quite special.
Making the screening even more special was the fact that three of the real people involved (two of the gay activists, and a miner's wife who ended up getting a degree after the strike and becoming a Labour MP) joined the filmmakers for a Q&A at the end.
Consider this an enthusiastic thumbs up from me.
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no subject
Date: 2014-09-08 08:41 pm (UTC)What sort of questions were they asked afterwards?
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Date: 2014-09-09 03:05 am (UTC)On the serious side, someone asked what things were like economically in south Wales now. James used that as an opportunity to point out the horrible labour practices like zero hour contracts that are being used now in Britain. On the not-so-serious side, someone asked Jonathan Blake (who was played Dominic West) if he danced as well as West did in the film. (Apparently he did not. *g* You'll see what they mean when you watch the film. *g*)
no subject
Date: 2014-09-10 07:29 am (UTC)Thoroughly enjoyed it, and shall doubtless write more when I have time.
Found a short film made at the time on YouTube: All Out! Dancing in Dulais (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHJhbwEcgrA), complete with interviews with some of the original LGSM crowd.
what things were like economically in south Wales now.
Hollow laugh.
But I see what you mean about the dancing!
(editing to sort out the HTML to the YT link, gah!)
Hope the rest of the festival is going well!
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Date: 2014-09-08 09:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-09-09 03:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-09-08 10:03 pm (UTC)Also there ought to be a law against Dominic West's 'hairstyle' in this movie... ;)
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Date: 2014-09-09 03:07 am (UTC)Definitely give it a go. I thought it was wonderful.
As for West's "hairstyle," yes.., ahem.
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Date: 2014-09-09 12:29 am (UTC)*makes a note* Ta!
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