Film showing how gay campaigners supported the miners gets Cannes screening
A film showing how gay rights campaigners supported the miners in 1984 will close next month’s Directors’ Fortnight at the International Cannes Film Festival on 23 May.
Previous British films that have premiered in Directors’ Fortnight include Stephen Daldry’s Billy Elliot and Damien O’Donnell’s East Is East.
‘PRIDE’ is based on the true story of how a group of gay activists decided to raise money to support the families of striking miners in 1984.
At the time, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) seemed embarrass to receive support from gay people – so the campaigners decided to ignore the union and go direct to the miners. They identified a mining village in deepest Wales and went to make their donation in person.
The journey resulted in two different communities forming a successful and emotional bond.
PRIDE is being directed by the Tony Award winning theatre director Matthew Warchus.
It features an award-winning, all-star ensemble cast including Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Andrew Scott and Paddy Considine,
The drama is a joint project between Pathé, BBC Films, the BFI and Calamity Films.
PRIDE is released in UK Cinemas on 12 September.
