Ronita Torcato

The British comedy “Pride” is set to open Filmfest Hamburg on 25 September. Festival Director Albert Wiederspiel comments: “It’s a real pleasure to be able to open with a film that’s not only hugely relevant on a socio-political level, but also moving, funny and full of twists! It’s a typically British film – in the best tradition of “The Full Monty” or “The Commitments”. And what provides a better counterpoint to the ever-sunny Hamburg than the rainy, but utterly loveable Wales?” The film “Pride” is set in the Thatcher era of the 1980s and is based on real-life events. Mark, who is part of the gay and lesbian community, is no longer content with collecting donations in colourful plastic buckets at the doors of their London office; he also wants to support the British miners in their strike. No sooner said than done: L.G.S.M (Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners) is set up with great enthusiasm – and so Bronski Beat meets Gaelic Folk. But as the brave urbanites, with their painted bus, visit their Welsh mining comrades and their families, they’re not always greeted with an enthusiastic reception. Punches are offered in lieu of gratitude. They nonetheless thrash it out until they break through the conventions. They dance, cry and fight together – with historic consequences. This British comedy is almost like a fairytale, with the common man as the hero who can move mountains. Director Matthew Warchus is among those expected to attend the German premiere. The film director rose to international fame in 1999 with his first film “Simpatico”. The Brit has, however, had his greatest successes with his musical and theatrical productions. From 2015, he will take over as Director of the Old Vic Theatre in London. “Pride” was shown at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, as the final film of the Director’s Fortnight section, and was greeted with standing ovations. The film is scheduled for release in Germany on 30 October 2014 (Senator Film GmbH).