Attitude meets Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton at ‘Pride’ premiere
By Ben Kelly
Acclaimed gay-themed British film Pride has just opened in cinemas nationwide, and earlier this month (September) we caught up with some of its biggest stars and creatives on the red carpet in London’s Camden Town. Scroll down for our interviews with Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy, Andrew Scott and more.
BILL NIGHY
What made you want to do this film?
“Well I read the script, and it’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read in my life. It made me laugh from start to finish. I kind of knew it would because I know Stephen [Beresford] is a great writer. It’s about very important things, it’s got big themes, but mostly it made me cry. I liked the idea of playing a real guy, who was active in the miners strike, and he was a decent man, a quiet reserved man who had a great love of books, and he was instrumental in bringing the two groups together.”
Without giving too much away, you have a great scene with Imelda, which was one of my favourites.
“It’s a beautiful scene. Stephen is a wonderful writer, he’s a genius. It’s a wonderful British film.”
What will this mean for British cinema?
“I don’t know. But for British cinema audiences… it’s just a joy. It all sounds like PR, and it is PR, but it’s just a really good night out, I think you’ll have a laugh.”
IMELDA STAUNTON
What does it mean to you to be able to tell this story?
“Well it’s a great privilege. It’s a great script, it’s a true story so that’s an added bonus. It’s an ensemble cast, and we’ve all got an individual story to tell. The rich tapestry of that is quite extraordinary to be a part of – not just doing your bit and going home, it’s the whole film.”
For those who don’t know the story, what can audiences expect?
“When British films get it right – comedy, poignancy, politics, sobbing! It’s pretty remarkable what it’s got to offer.”
There’s a great scene where Hefina goes to a gay club in London – have you ever been to one yourself?
“Oh yes.”
Many times?
“Yes. They couldn’t take it any more.”
And we heard that there was an extensive lark filming that scene with the dildo – what went on there?
“That was our last day of filming, and that’s for me to know and for you to find out!”
There hasn’t been a single bad review so far, what do you think of that?
“I know… I just think for those miners, and for those people in gay rights – quite right!”
ANDREW SCOTT
Have you got a copy of your Attitude cover?
“I don’t have a copy yet! But my publicist has one waiting for me.”
Have you had a good reaction to it?
“Yeah I have actually! Really nice feedback.”
And are you excited for your fans to see you in this new kind of role?
“Yeah I’m really excited. They’re actually outside, a few of them, with banners. So that’s really good.”
And you’re looking very dapper, who are you wearing tonight?
“This is Louis Vuitton!”
STEPHEN BERESFORD (Writer)
How long have you wanted to tell this story for?
“Twenty years. I heard it as a young gay man when I was 21, and I was having an argument about whether gay men are as political as they used to me – and I’m sure it still rages today. And this was around the time of the second, smaller pit closures, and I said ‘Why would I support the miners, they don’t support me.’ And the person I was talking to said: “Well let me tell you a story…'”
This isn’t a typical gay film about romance, or even about sex – is it important for you to cast a different light on the gay experience?
“It’s very important to me. We do have a lot of stories – and I think it’s great that we tell them – but I think we tell a lot of stories about sex and love. I thought it was very important to tell a story that young gay people could relate to and to give the message that their value in the world is not just sexual – there are other things they can do, and there are other ways of being a young gay person.”
So do you think gay people are as political now as they were back then?
“I think on the surface it’s there – we’re a very politicised group because we’ve had to fight for our rights, and in some ways it’s nice to think we don’t have to be political because there’s nothing still to fight for, but one thing I think about gay people – and it’s silly to generalise – but we tend to be a group that is motivated by compassion, we tend to be a group who is able to organise – just look at Russia recently. So it’s still happening, and I’m glad to see the old instinct to fight hasn’t died.”
FREDDIE FOX
Why was it important for you to do this film?
“Because it’s a good film. Because it’s a great script, and I just wanted to be involved.”
A great moment for British cinema?
“Certainly! An original moment for British cinema, which is what we all hope to be a part of.”
Should we look forward to seeing you in Russell T Davies’ Cucumber?
“You certainly should yes.”
What will you be getting up to in that?
“A lot!”
Nudity?
“Perhaps…”
Illicit acts?
“Perhaps…”
The kind of things you’d never get up to in real life?
“Certainly not!”
JOE GILGUN (pictured with Freddie Fox and Ben Schnetzer
Are you looking forward to seeing the film?
“Well I’ve already seen it, but I’m very very proud to be a part of it.”
It’s quite a niche story, but it has a universal message – do you think mainstream audiences will tap into that?
“Absolutely yeah. I think you’d be hard pushed not to. I think more than anything it’s going to show our generation what went on. I remember my dad screaming at Margaret Thatcher on the news and I didn’t understand what she’d done to deserve this screaming and shouting. And I think the things that gay men and women went through at that time – to be fired for being gay, to be arrested for being gay – can you imagine? That went on. So it’s raising awareness of all that, and our generation should see this film, absolutely.”
We like your beard. What’s your grooming routine?
“My routine? I’ve got poor oral hygiene and poor general hygiene, but tonight, obviously, I’ve had to pull it out of the bag. The beard is because I’m playing a heroin addict witch next – that’s what this is about. I’ve just had to do the best with what I’ve got, I’ve sort of polished a turd!”