Gus Van Sant’s, Milk -does a body good! I had such an epic response to the act of watching this film. Meaning that as I got to the theater I found myself experiencing the space the way I first did as a child. I was astounded by the size of the screen as the trailers began, I was giddy with anticipation to see the bigger than life pictures projected before me, I was drawn into the film with the opening credits the way a moth ascends to a shinning light and I found myself overcome with emotion the way I was when I first saw Boys Don’t Cry.
The history and legend of Harvey Milk is of such great importance to me, I was shaking to see it come to life in this accessible tribute. Milk adds momentum to the already mythological status to the man who became a martyr and icon for Gay rights. Harvey Milk gave himself to the cause of equality at a time when the world was a very cold place to be “out” in. Sean Penn portrays Harvey Milk so well that those who knew him have commented that Penn literally brought Harvey alive in the theater for them.
This will surely receive Oscar nods and of course deserving of them. However I would like to raise a flag of caution to Gay films… frankly, Milk will be this years Brokeback Mountain. As important as it is to have Gay history reflected it is equally important, in my opinion, that our stories be reflected in a modern context as well. Meaning that if Gay films are adamantly “Gay only films” they risk being ghettoized into a “Gay only audience,” hence working against what the Gay rights movement needs to achieve. Another example, is it possible that I’m ghettoizing myself by blogging this way? Yes I am, and I do so because we are still at a point where this type of support is necessary to inspire inclusiveness to all those that are uncomfortable with Gay stories and themes. For now we need the Boy’s Don’t Cry, the Brokeback Mountains, the Milks. Hopefully we can begin telling mainstream stories in which the Gay plight is no longer a struggle. I dream of a day when Gay characters are just living their lives with the joy of life we see in Hollywood blockbusters, and not the problems of longing for acceptance and rights is not an issue. I would like to see the exploration of love rather then hate. If we build it they will watch. We don’t need to go into the age old debate, does art influences life? We know popular culture does, if we could only get the mind share that Britney Spears draws.
As I’ve mentioned before I’ve not had to sacrifice what so many before me have to be able to walk down the street with my partner or get married, these basic freedoms are available to me and basically always have been in my country. This struggle still exists in many places in the world, however here in Canada we are progressive enough to set a different tone and it can be an honest message of gays and straights and living together in harmony rather than hate and violence. Before I begin to sound too Gay, I’ll stop myself and leave you with a comment on the power of this film, It’s inspired me to think about how I relate to the world (gay and straight), that’s more powerful than trying to change another persons mind about me. Honest and true growth can only come from with in, you can only change yourself and inspire others to do the same. Milk has inspired me to look at myself.
I wrote this blog the day after Milk was released in Vancouver, BC. I was facing a great many personal set backs at the time. I was on a spiritual path to be more comfortable with myself and to find positive in the world and give positive back. I stopped writing because it seemed pointless. I don’t feel that way any more. Things have changed considerably. Not only for me personally, but on a more global level there has been a shift. Obama. That’s all I have to say now, but I will continue to write more regularly and review the gayest of the gay films you’ve never seen. Stay tuned.
