'Pride' Cornerhouse Manchester

Friday 19th September 2014

(Artwork found on wordpress.com) 

We went to the Cornerhouse in Manchester to review the film 'Pride' Directed by Matthew Warchus, starring Bill Nighy, Andrew Scott and Imelda Staunton. The production was a film exploring the aspect of Thatcherism based in 1984 during the Mining strikes when the government was run by the late Margaret Thatcher. Before viewing the film, we were allowed to tour around the exhibits of the Cornerhouse and get a real context of the building itself, I admire the cinema's traditional yet independent values, and the exhibits themed around the building too. We were handed a sheet describing the overall context of the film we were about to see, explaining the aspect of Thatchercism and the impact her rulings had on miners in the 80's.

Context of Thatchercism- (Sourced from internet as well as sheet given at Cornerhouse Manchester by Gary)-
Thatchercism makes up the ideology of former Conservative Primeminister Margaret Thatcher, whom elusively thrust her ideas onto the general public forcefully, the main rules being about the miners, thus leading to a long battle of miner strikes due to her very movements. The Miners Strike 1984-1985 began due to the unfair amount of coal mines that were forcefully shut down due to Thatcher's beliefs, producing an organised strike by the NUM (National Union of Mineworkers) The actual strike itself involved riots of thousands of miners and of the police trying to restrain them upon Thatcher's orders.

The film itself bases around a group of gay and lesbian activists, who decide to raise money for the miners on strike in that time, naming themselves the LGSM- (Lesbian and Gay Support the Miners) I think the way the film was constructed allowed a heartwarming sense of empowerment, making the audience feel a sense of empathy towards both the activists and the miners involved, producing a beautiful sense of teamwork and acts of passion. The fact that despite their differences, they were similar in more ways than they could imagine, forming an unlikely friendship between both groups due to the fact that they are both groups of people that are victimised for having certain beliefs and left to feel alone. I think the way in which this unlikely friendship was conveyed was very uplifting and powerful, especially alongside the symbolism that was inserted in the piece.

The film was first off based around the character Joe, who was soon to be nicknamed Bromley was in the opening shot, filmed at a birthday table with his parents, and soon rushes to a train to take him to London, opening up to a gay and lesbian parade, who he then meets the group of gay and lesbian activists that he will venture the film with.
The group pair up with a miner village in Wales, a complete contrast to their urban lifestyles, the rural idyllic landscape of Wales was home to a village who drastically needed financial support to ensure the families and the miners themselves wouldn't soon starve.
The miners have mixed views of their new vibrant guests, but are soon warmed up to the attitude and passion that LGSM soon display, encouraging hope in a village that is engulfed in fear and hate from Thatcher's actions with the government. I think it really embraces the fact that no matter what background people are from, or what their current state is, a single similarity and act of passion and courage can bring any group of people together, despite their variations of characteristics.

Warchus had clearly put a lot of thought into the production of such a heart warming film, the outfits relevant to the 1984's and the overall prejudice that would be present against individuals at that time (gay, lesbian, transvestite etc.) and the fact that Warchus had harmoniously paired up both politics and humour was a media gem. I personally normally find films that possess a political theme quite tedious and boring, but this film presented something for everyone, light hearted jokes but without removing the seriousness of the situation and overall reinforcing the importance of human generosity.

The handshake was a symbol of the miners

Symbollism- Throughout the film, the symbolism of hand in hand support was repeated throughout, the aspect of shaking hands/holding hands included the meaning of support 'you support me and I support you' The symbol was the main metaphorical background to the film, two alternate groups of people sticking together through a familiar discrimination of Thatcher, and working together to show their rights to freedom of speech.