# Milk

> 2008 film directed by Gus Van Sant

**Wikidata**: [Q201687](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q201687)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_(2008_American_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/milk

## Summary
*Milk* is a 2008 American biographical drama film directed by Gus Van Sant, based on the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California. The film explores themes of LGBTQ+ activism and political struggle, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Gus Van Sant, an American filmmaker known for works like *Good Will Hunting* and *Finding Forrester*.
- Released in 2008 and based on the life of Harvey Milk, a prominent gay rights activist and politician.
- Won the Academy Award for Best Actor (Sean Penn) and the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black).
- Classified as a biographical film, drama film, and LGBTQ-related film.
- Distributed by Focus Features, an art house film division of NBCUniversal.
- Set in the United States, reflecting themes of political activism and social change.
- Featured Sean Penn as Harvey Milk and Josh Brolin as Dan White, his assassin.
- Written by Dustin Lance Black, who also directed the 2008 film *Synecdoche, New York*.
- Named after Harvey Milk’s famous speech: "May the road rise up to meet you."
- Official website: [milkthemovie.com](http://www.milkthemovie.com/).

## FAQs
- **What genre does *Milk* belong to?** *Milk* is a biographical drama film with LGBTQ+ themes, focusing on the life of Harvey Milk.
- **Who directed *Milk*?** The film was directed by Gus Van Sant, an American filmmaker known for works like *Good Will Hunting*.
- **What awards did *Milk* win?** The film won the Academy Award for Best Actor (Sean Penn) and Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black).
- **Who played Harvey Milk in the film?** Sean Penn portrayed Harvey Milk, while Josh Brolin played his assassin, Dan White.
- **What is the significance of the film’s title?** The title refers to Harvey Milk’s famous speech: "May the road rise up to meet you."
- **Who wrote the screenplay for *Milk*?** Dustin Lance Black, who also directed *Synecdoche, New York*, wrote the screenplay.
- **What production company distributed *Milk*?** Focus Features, an art house film division of NBCUniversal, distributed the film.

## Why It Matters
*Milk* holds historical significance as a biographical film that brought Harvey Milk’s life and activism to mainstream audiences. The film’s exploration of LGBTQ+ rights and political struggle resonated with audiences, contributing to increased visibility for gay rights movements. Its awards recognition, including an Oscar for Sean Penn, further cemented its cultural impact. By dramatizing Milk’s assassination and his fight for equality, the film serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.

## Notable For
- First film to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for a portrayal of an openly gay man (Sean Penn as Harvey Milk).
- Won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay, marking Dustin Lance Black’s first Oscar win.
- Featured Sean Penn’s first major role after a career hiatus, revitalizing his acting career.
- Included a groundbreaking scene depicting Harvey Milk’s assassination, which was controversial at the time.
- Recognized by the National Board of Review as one of the top films of 2008.
- Explored themes of political activism and LGBTQ+ rights, contributing to broader cultural conversations.

## Body
### Overview
*Milk* is a 2008 American biographical drama film directed by Gus Van Sant, based on the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California. The film follows Milk’s political career, his activism for LGBTQ+ rights, and his assassination in 1978. Sean Penn stars as Milk, while Josh Brolin portrays his assassin, Dan White. The film’s title references Milk’s famous speech: "May the road rise up to meet you."

### Production and Release
- Directed by Gus Van Sant, who is also known for films like *Good Will Hunting* and *Finding Forrester*.
- Written by Dustin Lance Black, who also directed *Synecdoche, New York*.
- Distributed by Focus Features, an art house film division of NBCUniversal.
- Released in 2008, with additional theatrical and home media releases in 2009.

### Awards and Recognition
- Won the Academy Award for Best Actor (Sean Penn) and Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black).
- Recognized by the National Board of Review as one of the top films of 2008.
- Featured in various film festivals and award ceremonies, including the Academy Awards.

### Themes and Impact
- Explores themes of LGBTQ+ activism, political struggle, and the fight for equality.
- Contributed to increased visibility for gay rights movements in the United States.
- Served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and political representation.

### Cast and Crew
- Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California.
- Josh Brolin as Dan White, Milk’s assassin.
- Dustin Lance Black as the screenwriter and co-producer.
- Gus Van Sant as the director, known for his distinctive filmmaking style.

### Historical Context
- Set in the 1970s, a time of significant political and social upheaval in the United States.
- Reflects the broader cultural context of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and political activism.
- Depicts the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in seeking political representation.

### Legacy
- One of the most significant biographical films about an LGBTQ+ figure.
- Helped shape public perception of Harvey Milk and his legacy.
- Continues to be studied and discussed in film and LGBTQ+ history courses.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/milk-film)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1013753/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)
3. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-130781/)
4. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=130781.html)
5. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film772213.html)
6. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/obywatel-milk)
7. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
8. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/milk)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1013753/fullcredits)
10. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2009)
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. The Movie Database
13. Milk. Rotten Tomatoes
14. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/158984/2009_filmbemutatok_osszes.xls)
15. [Source](http://www.kinokalender.com/film6908_milk.html)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. BBC Things
18. Kinopoisk
19. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/milk/)
20. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
21. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
22. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/122582)
23. Online-Filmdatenbank
24. Bechdel Test Movie List
25. mymovies.it
26. Danish Film Database
27. Trakt.tv
28. FilmVandaag.nl