Milk 2008
In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in the United States. His victory was not just significant for gay rights, he sought coalitions in the political arena. From retirees to union workers, Harvey Milk fought for a fair cause and became a hero for all Americans until his death in 1978. Oscar winner Sean Penn portrays Harvey Milk in the film directed by Oscar nominee Gus van Sant. Based on an original screenplay by Dustin Lance Black, the film was shot in San Francisco and produced by Oscar winners Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen. Milk tells the story of Harvey Milk’s eight-year life. Turning 40 while living in New York, Milk and his boyfriend Scott Smith (James Franco) move to San Francisco to open a small shop called Castro Camera to bring meaning to their lives. The working-class neighborhood where the store is located will soon become a haven for gays flocking from all over the country. Inspired by the beloved Castro neighborhood and the powerful city of San Francisco, Milk begins to change, surprising both Scott and himself. He becomes an advocate for equal rights and freedoms for all. In a time when prejudice and violence against gays were the norm, Milk garners support from people of all ages and sexual orientations, thanks to his great love for San Francisco and its people.
