My short film: 575 Castro St.

575 Castro St. from FilmInFocus on Vimeo.

a film by Jenni Olson
(2008) USA 7 mins. HD

575 Castro St. reveals the play of light and shadow upon the walls of the Castro Camera Store set for Gus Van Sant’s film Milk. These mundane shots are almost bereft of movement and sound. So quiet, so still. All the better to showcase the range of emotions evoked by Harvey Milk’s words on the soundtrack. The audio track is an edited down version of the 13-minute audio cassette that Harvey Milk recorded in his camera shop on the evening of Friday, November 18, 1977 (a few weeks after his election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors which made him one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States). Labeled simply: “In-Case” the tape was to be played, “in the event of my death by assassination.”

The sensibility of 575 Castro St. hearkens back to the style of the dozens of Super 8 gay short films of the ‘70s that passed through Harvey Milk’s hands to be processed and developed at the Castro Camera Store.

575 Castro St. is now available for viewing on the Focus Features Milk Website (please go watch and be generous with your comments).

And look for 575 Castro St. coming soon to a film festival near you (hopefully). I'll be posting screening info and such on my 575 Castro St. blogsite very soon.

World Premiere at the Castro

It was a star-studded, politico-packed evening at San Francisco's Castro Theatre last night for the World Premiere of Milk.

In a scene that would have made Harvey Milk proud, the street outside the theater was lined with hundreds of No on Prop 8 activists (placards in hand) who provided a fitting, powerful backdrop to the red carpet scene — with their steady "Vote No on 8" chants providing the backdrop for all the media coverage outside the event.

The film's star, Sean Penn (pictured above) invigorated the already boisterous crowd by shaking hands and showing his support for the cause — echoing his portrayal of Milk in the film, the ever-gregarious community leader.

Following the Hollywood-style arrivals, the sell-out crowd was greeted by SF Mayor Gavin Newsom who gave an electrifying introduction proclaiming: "San Francisco doesn't just tolerate diversity, we celebrate it!"

There was not a dry eye in the house as the lights came up two hours later and the crowd headed off for a festive celebration at City Hall. Fittingly, the very last Thank You of the film's credits went to local filmmaker Rob Epstein for his Academy Award winning 1983 documentary, The Times of Harvey Milk.

MILK production designer on the sets

Bill Groom on "Milk" from FilmInFocus on Vimeo.

This is a nice little piece that gives some background on the production design of MILK. It is particularly exciting to see all the stuff about the interior of Castro Camera!

Do you have a Harvey Milk story?

The FilmInFocus official MILK website is gathering community stories as part of the official MILK website. Go share a Harvey story or a coming out story, etc. as follows:

"When Harvey Milk stood up to make a difference, he inspired future generations to stand up for themselves. We invite you to join our MILK community and tell us who (or what) inspires you to make a difference in the world. Whose bravery moved you? Who stood up to his/her fears and let you face your own? Who proudly told everyone who he or she really was inside? Tells us your story of everyday bravery, about coming out yourself, or about how someone you loved came out. Celebrate the Harvey Milk in all of us."

Share your story now.

The Official Trailer is Here!

Harvey Milk Lives

No better time than right now to enjoy Paul VanDeCarr's moving and informative personal essay, Harvey Milk Lives about the production of Gus Van Sant's MILK.

Celebrate Harvey's Birthday: May 22nd

This coming May 22nd would have been Harvey Milk's 78th birthday. Mayor Gavin Newsom and scads of SF luminaries will celebrate the occasion by unveiling the long-awaited Milk Memorial statue at City Hall that evening. Find more info on the MilkMemorial.org website and if you can't make it to the ceremony please go ahead and make a donation to the Milk Memorial Project (they're still raising money).