Harvey Milk tribute involves films and a panel discussion

Harvey Milk’s activities advancing gay rights involved personal and political contributions. Having moved from New York to San Francisco in 1972, Milk courageously established himself as the first openly gay man elected to public office, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.  At 48 years old, Milk’s tragic murder November 27, 1978, shocked and galvanized all supporting LGBTQ rights.

Earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, Milk still stands as a significant figure honored and analyzed April 22 and 23 at Webster University. The events begin Friday, April 22, at 7:30 with director Robert Epstein’s 1984, Oscar-winning documentary “The Times of Harvey Milk.” Covering his career, assassination, and subsequent events, this excellent introduction is rich with media and personal recollections, with narration by Harvey Fierstein. As tragic Milk’s life cut so short is, his activism also remains powerfully inspirational.  

Further examining the context of such a figure, at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, the 23, participants on the panel “Sanctification of an Icon Through the Arts: Harvey Milk” will explore Milk’s career and legacy as presented through numerous books, films, and an opera, its world premiere this June by the Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Among other topics, panelists interrogate the accuracy and artistic license of various media.

Following that panel, at 7:30, director Gus Van Sant’s “Milk” screens, chronicling through flashbacks Milk’s career from forty to his death. In an uncanny anticipation of tragedy, in June 1978, Harvey began audiotaping personal thoughts on his life and his gay advocacy, a tape to be heard only in the case of his demise. The film uses these first-hand recordings as its introduction and its anchor.

Beginning in Milk’s apartment kitchen, Sean Penn as Milk sits at his table talking into the microphone. His recollections become the catalyst for depiction of events in his life, from his opening a camera store in 1972 in the Castro district to his first campaign for office in 1973 and his subsequent, eventually successful runs. Sandwiched in are Milk’s love life and his increasingly strong and savvy advocacy for gay rights.  

As Milk, Sean Penn continues his string of chameleon-like portrayals, convincingly embodying both the charm and energy of this committed activist. Josh Brolin is terrific as Dan White, Milk’s antagonist but also colleague. The stakes are clear, the uphill battle against homophobia never diminished. Director Gus Van Sant keeps events clear as he interlaces this nonlinear narrative. The actors and art direction, filming on location, period music and commitment to the cause are well researched and convincing. And the inclusion of archival footage adds to the immersion in the mid to late 70s milieu, the period when San Francisco took on its signature personality. Milk’s audio recording becomes the counterpoint to hectic, crowded compositions as Milk’s life becomes increasingly fraught.

All three sessions on Milk will be held at Webster University’s Winifred Moore Auditorium. You may visit the film series website for more information.