The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man ever elected to public office. In San Francisco in the late 1970s, Harvey Milk becomes an activist for gay rights and inspires others to join him in his fight for equal rights that should be available to all Americans.
Acting
Penn's physical transformation—he BECOMES Harvey's warmth and steel.
Direction
Van Sant using archival footage like ghosts watching themselves.
Writing
The 'hope speech'—every word earned, every pause weaponized.
Director
Gus Van Sant
Sean Penn
Harvey Milk
Emile Hirsch
Cleve Jones
Josh Brolin
Dan White
Diego Luna
Jack Lira
James Franco
Scott Smith
Alison Pill
Anne Kronenberg
Victor Garber
Mayor Moscone
Denis O'Hare
John Briggs
Joseph Cross
Dick Pabich
Stephen Spinella
Rick Stokes
Boyd Holbrook
Denton Smith
Lucas Grabeel
Danny Nicoletta
Jeff Koons
Art Agnos
Brent Corrigan
Telephone Tree #3
Dave Franco
Telephone Tree #5
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Cleve Jones appears in the film as Don Amador, one of Harvey's early lovers.
Released during Proposition 8's aftermath, Milk became urgent protest art—audiences wept then marched.
US
