# Milk (film)

Milk is a 2008 film about Harvey Milk, a politician and activist who became the first openly gay man elected to major public office in the United States.
    Directed by Gus Van Sant. Screenplay by Dustin Lance Black.

## Harvey Milk

* This is Harvey Milk speaking- Friday, November the 18th. This is only to be played in the event of my death by assassination.
* I fully realize that someone who stands for what I stand for... an activist, a gay activist... makes themself a target for someone who is insecure, frightened, terrified, and disturbed themselves. It's a very real possibility you see because — in San Francisco... we have broken the dam of major prejudice in this country.
* I wish I had time to explain all the things that I did. Almost everything was done with an eye on the gay movement.
* Forty years old — and I haven't done a thing that I'm proud of.
* We need one of our own in office.
* I'm not the candidate. I'm part of a movement. The movement is the candidate - there is a difference. You don't see it. I do.
* How do you "teach" homosexuality? Is it like French?
* (on his new look) I'm not gonna let those Pacific Heights biddies write me off because of a ponytail. And I like it. No more pot, no more bathhouses for me and my little poo.
* I don't think state assembly seats should be the reward for service to the Democratic Party machine. Machines run on oil and grease. They're dirty, they're dehumanizing, and they tend to be entirely unresponsive to the needs of anybody but those of their operator.
* I don't want to see another sign that says fucking "Machine" on it because this three-time "faggot loser" is running for Supervisor.
* I know you're angry! (cheers) I'm angry! Let us march the streets of San Francisco and share our anger!
* (to Cleve) March them right up to the steps of City Hall. When things start to look really bad- the city's first gay supervisor... will come out and play peacemaker. Do it with me. (Gives Cleve the bullhorn)
* My name is Harvey Milk and I'm here to recruit you. I want to recruit you for the fight to preserve your democracy. Brothers and sisters, you must come out! Come out to your parents, come out to your friends, if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors, come out to your fellow workers. Once and for all, let's break down the myths and destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake, for their sake. For the sake of all the youngsters who have been scared by the votes from Dade to Eugene. On the Statue of Liberty it says, 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.' In the Declaration of Independence, it is written, 'All men are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights.' So for Mr. Briggs and Mrs. Bryant, and all the bigots out there, no matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words from the Declaration of Independence! No matter how hard you try, you can never chip those words from the base of the Statue of Liberty! That is where America is! Love it or leave it!
* This is shit. Shit and masturbation. This is just a coward's response to a dangerous threat.
* Tonight, it's become clear to everyone out there that they do know one of us, and now that they do, they can see that we are not sick. They can feel that we are not wrong. And they know that there must be, that there should be a place for us in this great country, in this world. A message of hope has been sent to all those young people, to all of those who have been afraid by this wave of hate, to all of those who have lost their homes, lost their hometowns. Tonight, we are clear that there is a place for us! My brothers and sisters, we can come home again.
* Without hope, life's not worth living. So you, and you, and you... You gotta give 'em hope.

## Cleve Jones

* (after first meeting Harvey) Not interested, old man.
* What are you, some sort of street shrink?
* Fuck that. Elections of any kind are nothing more than a fucking bourgeois affectation.
* At least now you look gay.
* Out of the bar and into the streets; Anita Bryant is coming for you!
* (on Dan White) Is it just me or is he cute?
* The new Mrs. Milk. I give it a week.

## Dialogue

    Dan White: Society can't exist without the family.
    Harvey Milk: We're not against that.
    Dan White: Can two men reproduce?
    Harvey Milk: No, but God knows we keep trying.
    Scott Smith: Are you on uppers or something?
    Harvey Milk: No, this is just plain old me.
    [Briggs publicizes an anti-gay bill]
    John Briggs: It's time to root them out.
    Tom Ammiano: How are you going to determine who is homosexual?
    John Briggs: My bill outlines procedures for identifying homosexuals.
    Tom Ammiano: How? Will you be sucking them off?
    Dan White: You have an issue.
    Harvey Milk: It's more than just an issue. This is our lives we're fighting for.

## Cast

* Sean Penn - Harvey Milk
* Josh Brolin - Dan White
* James Franco - Scott Smith
* Emile Hirsch - Cleve Jones
* Diego Luna - Jack Lira
* Allison Pill - Anne Kronenberg

## Taglines

* His life changed history. His courage changed lives.
* Never blend in