Last night I got the opportunity to attend a launch party for this great new film called “Pride” at The Toronto International Film Festival.

Pride is a 2014 British drama film written by Stephen Beresford and directed by Matthew Warchus. It was screened as part of the Directors’ Fortnight section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Queer Palm award.

Based on a true story, the film depicts a group of LGBT activists who raised money to help families affected by the UK miners’ strike in 1984, at the outset of what would become the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign. The National Union of Mineworkers was reluctant to accept the group’s support due to the union’s public relations’ worries about being openly associated with a gay group, so the activists instead decided to take their donations directly to a small mining village in Wales — resulting in an alliance between the two communities. The alliance was unlike any seen before but was successful.

Photos by: Randy Hamilton

The Citizen held the after film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Bill Nighy arrives at The Citizen for the film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Bill Nighy arrives at The Citizen for the film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Faye Marsay arrives at The Citizen for the film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Ben Schnetzer arrives at The Citizen for the film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Matthew Warchus arrives at The Citizen for the film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Andrew Scott arrives at The Citizen for the film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Jessica Gunning at the after party at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Guests arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

The cast of Pride pose or a group photo after they arrive at the Citizen for the film after party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

I was lucky enough to be able to meet and talk to many of the cast members about the movie “PRIDE.”   Everyone seems to be excited to be a part of such an interesting and uplifting story.   They told me the reception from audiences has been overwhelming and they expect the film to do very well when it is released shortly.   For many of the actors, it was their first time in Toronto, being a British cast,  so was fun playing tour guide and letting them know what to do and see while they are here.   The all seemed to love Toronto and intended to spend the little time off they had, enjoying some of the city.

Some of the guests at the after party also included some of the original individuals in which this story had been based.  They were fascinating to meet and to hear first hand their perception on the film.

Jessica Gunning and Brandon Bent at The Citizen for the film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Mike Jackson, co-founder of the LGSM, is the key to unlocking the story and has been his right-hand man, with Brandon Bent

Brandon Bent & Faye Marsa at The Citizen for the film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Andrew Scott & Brandon Bent at The Citizen for the film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Mike Jackson, Sian James, Jonathan Blake arrive at The Citizen for the film party presented by Audi after the special presentation screening of PRIDE during the Toronto International Film Festival. Photo by: George Pimentel Photography

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors, and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats. Reach out - bryen@thebuzzmag.ca