Milk

(USA, 2008, 128 minutes)

The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the USA, from his move from New York to San Francisco in the mid-seventies to his death at the hands of a disturbed fellow official in 1978. Sweeping, moving biopic whose conventional appearance belies its elaborate, flowing visuals and message of hope and change; Sean Penn gives the performance of a lifetime.

Focus Features presents, in association with Axon Film Finance, a Groundswell Productions/Jinks-Cohen Company production; in association with Twins Financing. Starring Sean Penn; Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, Alison Pill, Victor Garber, Denis O'Hare, Joseph Cross; and James Franco. Directed by Gus van Sant; produced by Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen; written by Dustin Lance Black; music by Danny Elfman; director of photography (DeLuxe), Harris Savides; production designer, Bill Groom; costume designer, Danny Glicker; film editor, Elliot Graham.