March 14, 2007
Pride, determination and resilience were instilled in Sunu Gonera as a child growing up in Zimbabwe so it’s no wonder that he ended up directing a movie like Pride.
The real-life story of a coach who teaches urban youth how to swim and compete, Pride, starring NAACP Image Award winners Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac and Kimberly Elise, is heartwarming and inspirational just like Mr. Gonera.
“I want to encourage people to dare to dream,” said the former professional athlete during a recent exclusive interview. “I’ve always liked the underdog. I’ve always responded to ordinary people rising up.”
And that’s just what happens as Jim Ellis, played by Mr. Howard, reaches out to youth who are about to see their barely used community recreation center closed.
In Pride, Mr. Ellis, who competed as a swimmer at the collegiate level, finds himself unemployed. The job he finally gets, which is a far cry from one he desired as a coach, has him closing down the Marcus Foster Center in the Nicetown neighborhood. While packing up the contents in the facility, he runs across the pool, which he cleans and fills with water. When the basketball hoops are taken down outside he invites the players into the pool.
If the young men were thinking about horsing around, they had another thing coming as he began training the boys, who were later joined by one female, the very talented Regine Nehy.
During a private screening last week, Mr. Gonera addressed moviegoers saying that he hoped they found the movie inspiring.
“I want people to look at the film, look at Jim Ellis,” he explained. “Pride, determination and resilience…that is what builds a community.”
PDR, which refers to the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, actually becomes the rallying cry for the swim team as the initials come to represent pride, determination and resilience.
Expressing admiration for the work that Mr. Ellis continues today being what he calls a father figure and a role model, Mr. Gonera said that young people are looking for images like the coach.
Pointing out that there were actually three “father figures” in Pride, the Coach, Elston the janitor, played by actor/comedian Bernie Mac and then there is the local drug dealer, Mr. Gonera said, “I think young people are looking for role models who are not afraid to cry and show emotion—especially men. I wanted them to see them all.”
Although there was a little violence, Mr. Gonera said he struggles with the concept that only violence and sex sells.
“The film doesn’t need it,” he said. “I really don’t think you have to continue perpetrating those images.”
The images in Pride were real without the guns and sex. There were the tender moments, especially displayed by Mr. Howard with Councilwoman Sue Davis, played by Ms. Elise.Pride takes you back to the 1970s’ with the big Afros, plaid pants, platform shoes and slang unlike that you hear today. There’s also the soundtrack, featuring the best of The Sound of Philadelphia, with hits from the O’Jays and other 70s hitmakers.
And Mr. Gonera has nothing but praise for the actors who brought the story to life.
“One of the most joyous things was working with actors of their caliber,” he said. “They all so completely morphed into the characters.”
When moviegoers leave out of the theatre, Mr. Gonera says he hopes they will feel inspired and encouraged to go out and help others.
“You don’t have to be born famous to do great things,” he said. “It takes a big heart and big dreams.”
Cheryl can be reached at csmith@dallasweekly.com
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