San Francisco’s got MILK

This past Tuesday I made my way down to the Castro for the premier of “Milk”, hoping to spy a celebrity or two and ended up seeing quite a few more.

A relatively low key event (low key for a movie premier that is) the crowd on the street was only a couple hundred strong which just made it easier to catch a glimpse of the likes of Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna, James Franco, Diane Lane and Mayor Gavin Newsom just to name a few. I got to talking to the guy standing next to me who happened to be an extra in the movie and he told me that tickets to go inside and watch the premier with the stars evened out somewhere around five grand and included an after party for those who could afford it. If you hadn’t heard about the screening, it’s no surprise. Word is publicity for the film is being kept to a minimum for now but is scheduled to be set into full swing after the presidential election has been decided. So be on the lookout in the next couple of weeks for trailers and ads to start popping up.

For those of you who might not know, “Milk” is a biogaphical film about Harvey Milk, A former New Yorker who moves to San Francisco and becomes the first openly gay elected official in the United States and a gay rights advocate who is later assassinated along with the then Mayor, George Moscone by San Francisco Supervisor Dan White. Many of Harvey Milk’s real life friends and associates were part of the film’s production both on and off camera.

The spectators that were present seemed to fall pretty neatly into two categories: those on the sidewalk across from the theater holding “No on Prop 8” signs and those of us on the sidewalk closest to the red carpet snapping pictures and leaning over the barricades for a better look. I have to really give it up to the political advocates across the street, they were very enthusiastic and were chanting since before I arrived and were still going at it after I left. I’m sure this premier was looking like the perfect opportunity for those anti-Prop 8ers to get out there and voice their opinion in the grand tradition of the city; what with the theme of the movie, the historic location and the vote so near. San Franciscans have never had trouble exercising their right to assemble; we’re a very participatory society, which brings us to the extras in this film.

To be an extra on the set of Milk you pretty much had to sign up online and show up at the right place in the right dress for the period. There was a call for people of all races and genders to come and help recreate the marches that originated in the Castro during the 1970’s. There were no auditions and the website stated “If you sign up you will be used”. It was a nice extra little touch to give people who live in San Francisco now the opportunity to be apart of the retelling and connect with a pivotal part in their hometown’s history.

“Milk” officially hits theaters November 26th. I suggest you go look up the trailer if you have not seen it already, this one looks like it’s going to be a good one.