My father took me to my first Pride march when I was twelve years old. It was an incredible day and I still remember it now over ten years later, however, I never really knew the entire history of protest behind it. Ashley Joiner’s first feature, ARE YOU PROUD?, delves into that history of a momentous movement in Britain and reminds us all that although many horrors of the past are now in memory, we are still ‘a long way from home’ and must continue the fight for the future.
In a streamlined and easy to process presentation, ARE YOU PROUD? details each aspect of the Pride movement. This includes poignant interviews with key figures of the past and future, archival footage, photography and key facts. The film does not feel rushed despite the vast amount of information provided: time and attention is deliberately given to key moments and interviews. The camera lingers on the speaker, giving time to see their emotion rise to the surface and for the audience to share in that moment with them. The use of interview in the film does not feel posed, as the subjects are relaxed and open. The interviews are important to the overall impact, the power of the film would have been lost if there had been a single narrator. The film is educative but does so in a way that is not overbearing, making itself accessible to all audiences and, therefore, opening the lines of communication between all people. The way towards equality is education, and this film takes that challenge and finds a way to entertain, educate and inspire those who need it.
ARE YOU PROUD? does not try to be something it is not, it does not use overly stylised shots and it does not try to create meaning when there is none. The audience is shown the facts, the histories and the work still to be done. Ashley Joiner did not want to distract from the subject of this film and that is evident. There is clear care taken when talking about peoples’ histories and it does not hide emotion or aspects of the community that have an uglier nature. The film allows for self-criticism, for reflection and, most of all, for acceptance. I hope it can be seen across the nation, not just in festivals, but on television to get the message and the education far and wide.