Lionsgate's PRIDE is Bulging with Goodies

Based on true events, Lionsgate's PRIDE tells the story of Jim Ellis, a charismatic schoolteacher in the 1970s who changed lives forever when he founded an African-American swim team in one of Philadelphia's roughest neighborhoods. Directed by Sunu Gonera, this life-affirming drama stars Academy Award 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).

PRIDE TRAILER

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 converts an abandoned recreational pool hall in a Philadelphia slum with the help of Elston (Bernie Mac), a local janitor. But when city officials mark the new Philadelphia Department of Recreation for demolition, Jim fights back - by starting the city's first African-American swim team. Recruiting troubled 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. Story by Kevin Michael Smith & Michael Gozzard. Screenplay by Kevin Michael Smith & Michael Gozzard and J. Mills Goodloe and Norman Vance, Jr.

PRIDE coming to theaters March 23rd, 2007