It's a wrap - San Franciscans go back in time once more for 'Milk' (Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk)

[Kadie]

It's a wrap - San Franciscans go back in time once more for 'Milk'
Ruthe Stein, Chronicle Senior Movie Writer

Monday, March 17, 2008

"Harvey will be coming out soon," an extra assured the crowd in front of City Hall on a recent Sunday. They had gathered to be in a scene in "Milk"- the movie about the life and death of Harvey Milk - in which the San Francisco supervisor delivers an impassioned speech. It was really Sean Penn, of course, who plays the martyred supervisor, who would be appearing. But, this extra explained, because he's a "method actor," he wants to be called Harvey.

From the bright sun, it could have been June, when the Gay Freedom Day parade was led 30 years ago by Milk, seated on top of a convertible with flowers in one hand and the other hand a clenched fist. He was as pumped up as his bulging muscles.

A couple thousand people waited for a re-enactment of Milk's fiery speech, which capped the parade. This was the last day calling for such a large cast.

"Milk" had been filming all over San Francisco for eight weeks and wrapped Monday with a scene shot on a set on Treasure Island of Milk watching "Tosca." The movie is due in the fall, positioning it for Oscar consideration.

Appearing on the City Hall steps to deafening applause, Penn looked shockingly like Milk. He had his almost Grecian nose and dark wavy hair parted to one side and wore a tight T-shirt that showed off his muscles.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/17/DDNDVJJHL.DTL




It's a wrap - San Franciscans go back in time once more for 'Milk'
Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk on the set of the movie "Milk" at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco. Photo by Laura Morton, Special to The Chronicle

[AlCzervik]

1. i am really looking forward to seeing this, the casting looks good and i'm dyin to see how Difi is

portrayed.

[roamer65]

8. I remember what Jello Biafra called DiFi.

Dragonlady.

[Chovexani]

2. I can't wait for this film to be released

I think it's important.

[Skittles]

3. he looks like Mr. Milk

yes INDEED

[doyourealize1]

6. i was thinking the same thing

[Skittles]

7. showing our age, doy

yes INDEED :D

[cascadiance]

14. Here's a relevant pic...

[JerseygirlCT]

4. Is this based on "Execution of Justice"?

Saw that many, many, many years ago and it was terrific.

[Captain Angry]

5. How does one part their Grecian nose to the side?

Sorry, just poking fun at the writer's remarks.

[LittleClarkie]

9. Will it be in wide release, or is it an independant film?

He's been a hero of mine ever since I saw a PBS documentary about him.

[marmar]

10. Wow. Sean Penn really looks like Harvey Milk in that pic.....

The doc "The Times of Harvey Milk" is excellent.

[fishwax]

11. I didn't know they were making this movie

but I look forward to seeing it :bounce:

[JackBeck]

12. I know of a few DUers

that were extras in the film.

Can't tell you how jealous I am!

[Pastiche423]

13. Sean and Harvey

[Kadie]

15. Thanks for posting the pics Pastiche423.

I bet it is an excellent movie.

[Pastiche423]

17. I can't wait to see it

I moved to San Francisco less than a year after the murders. When I heard that Dan White was going to be released in 1984, having served only about five years, I was furious.

It felt like the entire city was holding its breath, then finally let it out when White commited suicide.

For thirteen years I lived a block from Moscone Park, named after Mayor George Moscone who also died at the hands of Dan White.

P.S. As a result of Mayor Moscone's untimely death, we got DiFi as our mayor.

[Lex]

16. Before this is released, I urge everyone to see "The Times of Harvey Milk"

which is an Oscar-winning documentary released in 1984:

Featured people

The film was produced after Milk's death using archival footage, so that Milk is credited as the lead (posthumously). Other politicians including San Francisco mayor George Moscone (who was assassinated with Milk), and Moscone's successor and now United States Senator Dianne Feinstein appear in archival footage. The movie opens with a tearful Feinstein delivering her announcement to the media that Moscone and Milk had been assassinated by another local political figure.

Also featured in the film is then-schoolteacher Tom Ammiano, who has been a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors since 1994.

The film was narrated by Harvey Fierstein.

Awards

The film won the Academy Award for best documentary film in 1985, and was awarded Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, among other awards. <1>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times_of_Harvey_Milk