Extra Credit Assignment MILK 1. What are the main themes, politically and socially, that are portrayed in the film? Milk is a biographical film based on the triumphs and struggles of Harvey Milk. He was a gay rights activist and the first openly gay elected official in California. Socially, the film addresses the discrimination homosexuals faced on a daily basis. “(T)he normal majority”, as labeled by Anita Bryant, inflicted prejudice upon the homosexual minority. “The Castro”, the name of a street in an area often inhabited by homosexual bars and such places, portrays the clan like social groupings. The entire neighborhood however was not friendly. A fellow merchant on Castro Street refused to allow Milk to join the Merchant’s …show more content…
He also wanted to include blacks, Asians, and the disabled in a human rights movement. 3. Choose 2 scenes from the film and discuss what is important about them. I was very bothered by the comments Anita Bryant made during a televised speech that was shown in the film. She was an orange juice sales woman who was working to repeal laws that protect homosexual human rights; specifically in employment and housing. She described homosexuality as “tearing down the foundation of the family unit” and compared gays to prostitutes and thieves. She tried to convince the public that the traditional family was being threatened and that practicing or accepting homosexuality was blasphemy. Although the scenes of Harvey Milk recording his voice were split up throughout the film, I felt it to be the most powerful. Not only does he address the substantial probability of being assassinated, he does so calmly and courageously. He stated that, “a gay activist is the target for someone who is insecure”. As he did throughout his encounters with all kinds of people, he also stated that he often broke the tension when giving a speech to mostly straight men by telling a joke. Milk accomplished a lot for the gay rights movement, one that is still fighting today, and he did so with integrity, hard work, and sporadic humor. 4. What did you like best/ and or least about the film? What I liked best about the film was Milk’s personal
1.Describe the main characters of the film: Who are they? What are their motivations? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are the obstacles they face?
The film consists of many cliché western characters. There is a banker, an outlaw, a prostitute, a doctor, a gambler, and a pregnant woman. These characters are categorized by social class. The banker, the pregnant
The 2008 film Milk is based on a true story about a political leader who desired to see a change in America, specifically the freedom of choice and speech towards homosexuals. The motion picture takes place after Harvey Milk’s 40th birthday and captures the rest of his life as he strives to convince America to let the gay community out of the closet. The movie portrays the historical activist very well, including the surrounding characters as well as the actual events that took place during his time in office.
This movie Directed by Paul Haggis who also directed Academy Award Winning "Million Dollar Baby" and had also won an Academy Award for this movie as well puts a twisted story in this film. This movie is trying to symbolize what goes on in the world today in regards to racism and stereotypes. He tries to make a point on how societies view themselves and others in the world based on there ethnicities. This movie intertwines several different people's lives, all different races, with different types of beliefs. Such ethnicities include Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Middle Eastern. This movie includes conflicts on both sides of the picture from cops and criminals as well
From my perspective it’s the judgement of homosexuality that is portrayed in the movie. Riddled throughout the movie is drugs, other deities and violence. Even the main character Che is an alcoholic bully who’s been to prison. How they wrap their heads around these
His words still resonate today with anyone who is struggling with their sexual orientation. During the 70's the "LGBTQ+" was just the "GAYS". There was no education or resources for people who didn't fit in the majority view of American norms. The people of the LGBTQ+ were the voiceless people living in the shadow's of America or just in the closets of America like the Boogie Man. Milk gave the LGBTQ+ community a voice and a face and allowed for a start of acceptance of LGBTQ+ into mainstream America. Through his political and social activism he became known as the Mayor of Castro Street. His political life was cut short after just one year in office, who knows what kind of legacy he would have offered the world had he been allowed to live? He was named in "Time" magazine as one of the 100 most influential figures of the 20th century. Not a bad for a short political career that was just over 4 years and tragically cut short.
This movie showcased the numerous barriers for people of colour and essentially any race with exception of those who are white. Jackie Robinson was especially targeted due to the fact that he was the first black baseball player to play in the MLB. Despite the various individuals who supported the change in western culture, there were many who made the transition difficult by applying many barriers such as segregation
He revolutionized the way we govern our major cities by advocating for the common man and giving voices to the disenfranchised. He changed the country’s political climate into one in which many closeted gays gained the courage to come out. He also served as the unwavering advocate of the disenfranchised and struck down laws that would produce institutionalized inequality. Harvey Milk has posthumously inspired a generation of activists to create systematic change, provide funding, and create programs for the benefit of the world’s LGBT youth and for minorities at large. [I can definitely edit this to be shorter if you think it should be] Before he died, Harvey Milk stated [that] “If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet shatter every closet door”(Bringing People Hope 4). Many have wondered if he truly how powerful his death could be. In my case, I vividly remember hearing about Harvey milk and racing home from catholic school to learn about this openly gay politician. I found it impossible to believe that someone like me could be honest about who they are, and not only be accepted but elected to public office. I remember the intense hope and vindication I felt while reading an online biography dedicated to this man whom I now considered to be a legend. Imagine my anguish when my eyes first skimmed over the word “assassinated”. After processing this tragedy, I came to the following conclusion. In my mind this man had not only been accepted for who he was, but he also died for my right to be who I am. I felt then as I do now, that because of Harvey Milk, I have a responsibility to be honest about who I
This film presents an individual that chooses not to conform to modern society, and the consequences of that choice. The main character
“If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.” This quote was said by a man who took that very close to home. Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the U.S., said this quote in one of his personal recordings. Harvey Milk is an important figure in history because of his ability to persevere and inspire all those who are a part of the LGBT community. Milk is considered a hero because he refused to let his sexuality get in the way of his dreams and inspired thousands to embrace their sexuality.
People shared different stories about how they experienced with different cultures for the first time. History, identity, and culture are the main three themes discussed in the film. There are also internal and external factors that play a huge role in our society. The film persuades people that there are still racial issues in the United States today, according to various
Harvey Milk was born on May 22, 1930 in Woodmere, New York. He was an American politician, who was the first openly gay elected official in the history of California.. Harvey was also a civil rights activist. Since Harvey Milk’s murder in 1978, he has remained a symbol of activism. He brought people hope. Harvey started to fight for gay rights, movement in America. Back then homosexuals were legally and socially discriminated against in the United States.
Harvey Milk was a gay right activist, politician, fighter, an inspiration and most importantly an Icon. This movie charts the last eight years of Harvey Milks life. His life changed history. In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and he was the first openly gay man to be voted into public office. Throughout this movie Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights.
The film lookes at the prejudices between the families but did not touch on how interacial couples also have deal with societies biases against them. Being a interacial couple may come along with its shares of difficulties, diffrences between the indiviuals, famial prejudice, and societies prejudice.
One of the major ICC themes in the movie is the conflict between individualism and collectivism. Although not explicitly expressed, it has a strong impact on the whole course of the movie. The 4 immigrant Chinese mothers, having spent their childhood in Mainland China, embodied a strong collectivistic value. This is a dominant value in Asian culture, especially that of China. In such society, the priority of a group far exceeds that of an individual,