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I'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.