Based on true events, "PRIDE," tells the story of Jim Ellis, a charismatic schoolteacher in the 1970s who changed lives forever by founding and coaching an African-American swim team in one of Philadelphia’s roughest neighborhoods. Directed by Sunu Gonera, this uplifting drama stars Oscar nominee Terrence Howard (HUSTLE & FLOW, CRASH, RAY), Bernie Mac (GUESS WHO, OCEANS 12, BAD SANTA) and Kimberly Elise (DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN, MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, JOHN Q).
The year is 1973, and Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard), a college-educated African-American, can’t find a job. Driven by his love of competitive swimming, Jim refurbishes an abandoned recreational pool in a down-at-its-heels Philadelphia neighborhood with the help of its custodian Elston (Bernie Mac). But when the pool is marked for demolition, Jim fights back -- by starting the city’s first African-American swim team. Recruiting teens from the streets, Jim struggles to transform a motley team of novices into capable swimmers -- all in time for the upcoming state championships. But as racism, violence and an unsympathetic city official threaten to tear the team apart, Jim must do everything he can to convince his swimmers that victory, both in and out of the pool, is within their reach.
By turns comic, rousing and poignant, PRIDE is a triumphant story about team spirit and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. The film is produced by Brett Forbes, Patrick Rizzotti, Michael Ohoven, Adam Rosenfelt, and Paul Hall. The story is by Kevin Michael Smith & Michael Gozzard. Screenplay is by Kevin Michael Smith & Michael Gozzard and J. Mills Goodloe and Norman Vance, Jr.
Jim Ellis’ story is testimony to the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform human life.
Ellis founded the P.D.R. (Philadelphia Department of Recreation) Swim Team, based at the Marcus Foster Recreation Center in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia, in 1971. Today it is the City's nationally recognized competitive swim team, the nation's best predominately African-American team, and has become a model for urban swim programs around the country.
Over the past 35 years, Ellis has been introducing competitive swimming to inner city youth and their families. His coaching has provided a healthy and stimulating environment in which the young athletes can grow and compete. It also brings together families from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Through travel to various competitions, the sport exposes swimmers to other parts of the country and different lifestyles. Ellis is the subject of the upcoming film PRIDE, which tells the story of a swim coach and youth mentor who built a successful swimming program in one of Philly’s most impoverished neighborhoods in the 1970s. When Ellis founded the P.D.R. swim team in 1971, it was a time when the lives of young African-American teens in Philadelphia were often full of hardship and prejudice. The film shows this uplifting and soulful story of Ellis’ journey that pulled together a group of troubled inner-city kids, made them into a dedicated team, and taught them how to overcome adversity through hard word and determination.
Jim Ellis taught his P.D.R. swimmers more than just how to compete in the water; he taught them important and life-changing lessons that would prepare them for a better future. But through this emotional journey, Coach Ellis also discovers his team has a lot to teach him as well. PRIDE stars recent Oscar nominee Terrence Howard (Hustle and Flow, Crash, Ray), popular comedian turned actor Bernie Mac (The Bernie Mac Show, Kings of Comedy, Ocean’s Eleven), and Kimberly Elise (star of CBS series Close to Home).
As a real-life role model, Ellis’ story strikes a chord with all types of audiences. Coach Ellis is a loveable storyteller whose inspiring true-to-life story captivates and motivates audiences to always remember the influential power of one person.
