Pride - Success

Pride was created to attract small audience types who enjoyed alternative character types and a political film with comedic elements involved. However it was clear that the film attempted to also attract the mainstream audience through its marketing as it attempts to reassure the audience that although it is new and alternative they will love it and it will be a good film to watch. Although the film is indy and different it did reach the mainstream audience and gained a domestic gross of $1.4 million at the box office which is a huge amount for such a niche film.  

Due to the realism of the film and how much it does relate to politics and the issues surrounding the miners strike and the gay community in the 1980's it is surprising that the film did do so well at the box office as well as being nominated for 17 film awards including a Golden Globe for best motion picture in 2015 and winning a BAFTA for outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer in 2015. This film was seen as such a success as the crew were pretty new to film making so for the astonishing feedback it did get as it was not expected to have done as well as it did.  

Pride also received very high critic acclaim as people believed the film raised issues that were to be debated and create discussion among people who had watched the film. The film allows people to look at the past and reflect on the present and view what has changed and what still needs to change, for example the film shows that it is okay to me gay and that is not something to be ashamed of which is also what todays society shows (gay marriage is legal) however, there are still many homophobic people in the world who share Maureen's views and this highlights the idea that these attitudes must change. "This political earnestness is rare in modern mainstream cinema" - David James, Rottern Tomatoes. This shows that many audience members enjoyed the realism of the film and the fact that it tapped into political affairs at the time. "Film works effortlessly from some pretty intense dramatic moments to hilarious scenes showcasing the contrasting lifestyles of the gay and straight worlds" - Bill Zwecker, Rotten Tomatoes, this shows how the audience were engaged with the intensity of the film but the use of humour broke the film up in a subtle way and made it more understandable.  

Overall the film Pride entertained the audience through comedy but also had a heightened sense of drama and intensity due to it being a true story, this meant that true emotions were shown and true events were highlighted to show what situation people were in at the time of the miners strike. The film reflects and conveys the struggle people were experiencing and challenges ideologies of todays society as well as the past. The film was a huge success as it raises discussion about socially sensitive topics and gives knowledge to people about that time period as well as entertaining them through comedy.