Exclusive cineGLAAD Video: In-Demand Publicists John Murphy & Mark Pogachefsky Dispense Advice to Up and Coming Filmmakers
January 24, 2010
Last night at cineGLAAD’s Out Loud: The Role of a Publicist & Creating Buzz for Your LGBT Festival Film panel discussion, moderator Orly Ravid asked in-demand publicists John Murphy and Mark Pogachefsky about their efforts behind marketing the Academy Award-winning film Milk.
In the video below, Murphy and Pogachefsky reveal fascinating details surrounding the behind the scenes publicity of Milk and get specific about ways that 2010 Sundance Film Festival filmmakers can reach audiences with their films.
Tonight Show Guests Made Uncomfortable By Taking Woodstock Gay Kiss
August 18, 2009
Last night on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, guest Demetri Martin talked about his role in the upcoming Ang Lee film Taking Woodstock and the discomfort he felt when he realized he would be playing a gay man and would have to kiss another man.At this point, guest Shaquille O’Neal scoots away from Martin on the couch and the audience and O’Brien begin laughing hysterically. Towleroad’s Andy Towle posted a rough transcript this morning:
MARTIN: There’s a scene in the movie where I have to kiss a guy, where I have to make out with this guy. (big laughter as Shaq moves away on couch) . Ang [Lee], the director said, listen, in that scene you have to kiss a girl first, and then you push her away, and then you kiss the guy. We can cast your girlfriend if you want….So the day comes, and I’m kind of dreading it but I’m like my girlfriend will be there so that’s cool. We do the first take. I kiss my girlfriend, I have to push push her away. And then I have to go really make out with the guy in front of her. And I hadn’t anticipated…
CONAN: The weirdness of doing this in front of your girlfriend.
MARTIN: And then, like eight takes later…we keep doing it over and over again. And it was weird cause it was like girlfriend, push her away, guy, oh yeah I want to kiss you, and then, okay girlfriend again…I had like 500 Altoids that night. I thought it would make a difference.
CONAN: It doesn’t really, I know.
The incident is especially unfortunate because we were beginning to see a change, following Brokeback Mountain and Milk, in the way straight actors approach gay roles and discuss same-sex intimacy in the media. Furthermore, O’Neal has proven to be an ally to the LGBT community in the past, even assisting in stopping a gay bashing four years ago.
As we reported yesterday, The Tonight Show also aired a problematic segment last Thursday which made fun of the transgender community. GLAAD has reached out to NBC regarding this incident. We will also be staying abreast of upcoming promotional appearances by the cast of Taking Woodstock.
Related Posts:Pedro Premieres Tonight!
April 1, 2009
The MTV original movie Pedro, which follows the remarkable life of Pedro Zamora, premieres tonight at 8/7c on four networks: MTV, mtvU, Logo and MTV Tr3s, where the film will be subtitled in Spanish. We urge you to watch this emotional film and remember the impact that Pedro has had on all of our lives.
Written by Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black (Milk), the movie goes beyond what viewers saw in 1994 on The Real World: San Francisco. Yes, he was the first openly gay person living with HIV regularly seen on television, but of course Pedro was so much more than that. For many, he remains a touchstone for not only the gay community, but for those living with HIV and AIDS.
President Bill Clinton, who has long credited Zamora with personalizing and humanizing the AIDS epidemic, will introduce the film when it is broadcast across four networks.
“To this day, Pedro Zamora remains an extraordinary example of what a huge impact one young person can make in our world,” President Clinton said in a statement. “I’m glad to have known him, and I’m grateful his life has been able to inspire and enrich so many others.”
“Our historic, simultaneous premiere of the film across multiple networks demonstrates the power of Pedro’s journey to reach a vast array of audiences, just as it did 15 years ago,” said Brian Graden, President of Entertainment, MTV Networks Music Channels and President of Logo. “His story originally ignited a national dialogue, permanently impacted our consciousness around the challenges of HIV, and gave untold millions the courage to open up about their sexual orientation. For those of us who remember him as a treasured television friend, and for a new generation coming to his story for the first time, we remain grateful for the gift of his story.”
Be sure to watch the trailer here and tune in tonight for the world premiere of Pedro.
Actor Won’t Drink Milk, Will Drink the Kool-Aid
March 10, 2009
According to The Advocate, a Brazilian actor has refused to dub Sean Penn’s voice into Portuguese for the local television broadcast of Milk, even though he’s dubbed Mr. Penn’s performances in 21 Grams and All the King’s Men.
The actor, whose name is Marco Ribeiro, is a pastor at an Assembly of God church in Rio de Janeiro and says that the film about martyred gay rights activist Harvey Milk clashes with his religious beliefs.
“I did not feel comfortable with the job,” Ribeiro said, according to Variety . “My voice is involved with other causes, and for the same reason I have refused to work on certain types of advertising.”
Milk is currently playing in Brazilian theaters with Portuguese subtitles, but will be dubbed into Portuguese for television. Riberiro will be replaced by actor Alexandre Moreno.
On Your Shopping List: Milk
March 10, 2009
Buy the kind of milk that never expires: Gus Van Sant’s award-winning Harvey Milk biopic, Milk! It’s in stores on DVD and BLU-RAY HI-DEF and available On Demand (VOD) today!
As you recall, Milk has won a slew of awards, most recently, two Oscars: Best Actor — Sean Penn and Best Original Screenplay — Dustin Lance Black. For a complete list of awards, please visit our Milk Awards Central resource.
Of course, if you want to really show your love for Milk, you can kick it up a notch like activist Tom Gregory did last week: He paid $12,500 for one of the Harvey Milk suits worn by Sean Penn in the film. Proceeds went to benefit Variety: The Children’s Charity of Southern California and New York’s Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of Harvey Milk High School.
Whether it’s thousands of dollars for commemorative merchandise, or just $17.99 for the DVD, supporting Milk always does a body good.
Sean Penn Calls for Harvey Milk Day
March 3, 2009
Actor Sean Penn, fresh off his Academy Award-winning turn as Harvey Milk in Gus Van Sant’s biopic, Milk, is in San Francisco today to introduce the Harvey Milk Day Bill.
Harvey Milk
At 11 AM this morning, Penn joined State Senator Mark Leno, State Assemblymember Tom Ammiano and Equality California at a press conference to introduce the Harvey Milk Day Bill. Sponsored by Equality California, the bill seeks to educate Californians about the former San Francisco City Supervisor, civil rights activist and American hero whose work helped bring LGBT people out of the closet and into civic life.
The legislation calls on the Governor to proclaim May 22 as Harvey Milk Day, designating it as a “day of special significance.”
According to Equality California:
The legislation was originally introduced last year by Sen. Leno but the Governor vetoed the measure on the grounds that Harvey Milk was unknown beyond San Francisco. Milk, who was the first openly gay elected official of a major American city, was responsible for passing San Francisco’s gay-rights ordinance and helping to defeat the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gay and lesbian teachers from public schools. Milk, along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, was assassinated in November 1978, but his legacy continues. He was named one of the most influential people of the 20th Century by Time.
What to Watch: This Weekend
February 27, 2009
Happy Friday, everyone! Start the weekend off right with an hour of Oprah, followed by a Rosie O’Donnell Lifetime Original Movie on Saturday, finishing with the penultimate episode of The L Word on Sunday. Pretty nice little weekend, huh?
FRIDAY
> 3:00 PM Oprah, syndicated (1 hr) NEW
Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk) is a guest! Times vary; Check listings for airtimes.
> 8:00 PM The Amazing Race 14, Travel Channel (1 hr) REPEAT
For those who missed The Amazing Race on Sunday because of the Oscars, the Travel Channel is re-airing episodes each Friday. Cheer on Mel and Mike White!
> 9:00 PM Friday Night Lights, NBC (1 hr) NEW
Landry is crushing hard on his new bandmate, Devin. Unfortunately, let’s just say that Landry doesn’t have what she’s looking for.
> 10:00 PM Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO (1 hr) NEW
This week, Alan Cumming is a scheduled guest.
SATURDAY
> 9:00 PM America, Lifetime (2 hrs) NEW
Though this Lifetime Original Movie about foster care has no gay content per se, the wonderful Rosie O’Donnell stars in this emotional film.
> 9:00 PM Color Splash, HGTV (30 min) NEW
Gay interior designer David Bromstad reworks living spaces. Tonight he overhauls a home office.
> 11:30 PM Saturday Night Live, NBC (1 hr, 30 min) REPEAT
If you missed it the first time around, this SNL, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris is a must-see. Gay jokes abound!
SUNDAY
> 8:00 PM The Amazing Race 14, CBS (1 hr) NEW
Nine teams are still competing to win the ultimate prize. One team is made up of gay activist Mel White and his bi son Mike White.
> 8:00 PM Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, ABC (1 hr) NEW
A Texas family lost their home in a flood, so the team, including gay designer Eduardo Xol, goes to rebuild their house in seven days.
> 9:00 PM Big Love, HBO (1 hr) NEW
Everyone has something to hide. Alby is married to several women and yet cruises for sex in men’s bathrooms, while Heather pines away for her best friend Sarah.
> 9:00 PM The L Word, Showtime (1 hr) NEW
We knew it was only a matter of time until Alice and Tasha’s “third wheel crush” on Jamie would take a turn, especially since Jamie’s started taking her clothes off in front of both women at regular intervals.
> 10:00 PM Brothers & Sisters, ABC (2 hrs) NEW
Get your hankies ready, because this two-hour movie event promises extreme joy and sorrow, when an unexpected death takes place as Kitty and Robert welcome the birth of their child.
> 10:00 PM The United States of Tara, Showtime (30 min) NEW
In this new comedy about a woman with multiple personalities, Marshall is her sweet, sensitive son who has a crush on a cute boy from class.
TiVo Alert: DLB on Friday’s Oprah
February 26, 2009
Before you leave for work on Friday, make sure to set your DVR to capture Oprah, with special guest Dustin Lance Black, fresh off his Oscar win for Milk.
It’s not often that Oprah interviews screenwriters, but Lance’s emotional and moving speech on Sunday has garnered him international attention, bringing the discussion of LGBT rights and religion to the forefront.
If you haven’t seen it yet (and, really, who hasn’t at this point), check out Lance’s motivational words here:
And here is Oscars.com exclusive “Thank You Cam” with Dustin Lance Black:
A Kiss Is Just A Kiss, Mr. Hannity…
February 26, 2009
The other night, Fox’s Sean Hannity had this to say about the Oscars:
“…they keep showing the scenes of men kissing. And I’m thinking do we have to expose our children to more and more sex, more and more violence, you know, more and more controversy?”
He continued:
“Listen, I’m just more sensitive. If it’s going to be a family event, you know, and you want to — you can’t watch a lot of programs now because of the adult content. We’re robbing these kids, Alicia, of their childhood. We’re over-sexualizing them at younger and younger ages.”
Though there were 14 straight kisses and just 3 gay kisses (all the same couple and all scenes from Milk, btw) aired during the Oscars, even kids know that a kiss is just a kiss.
Isn’t it time Sean Hannity figured that out too?
Full Transcript Below:
HANNITY: We continue now with our “Great American Panel.”
All right. The single most dull and boring and the self-righteous pat each other on the back, you know, actors and actresses. Here’s Sean Penn last night, the really big genius that he is. Here he is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN PENN, ACTOR: For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, and I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIETL: All I can say is I wore my pink tie tonight in support of Mr. Penn. I don’t think so. This is not a political event. He’s a great actor. He’s got the Academy Award twice. But he’s sucking face with pineapple face and with Fidel. What reasons? You can’t be gay…
HANNITY: He’s talking about Hugo Chavez.
DIETL: Yes, you can’t be gay and live in Venezuela. You can’t be gay and live in Cuba. They have no human rights there, so Mr. Penn, why don’t you go over and tell them to give some human rights to people over there?
HANNITY: That’s a great point. Why doesn’t he do that?
MENENDEZ: He lives in America, he’s an American…
DIETL: He hates America. He hates America.
(CROSSTALK)
HANNITY: He hangs out with dictators. That’s Bo’s point.
MENENDEZ: That’s not what we’re talking about, though. We’re talking about the fact that, as I was driving in there who were — who were people flashing these messages of hate and…
HANNITY: Hang on one second. Hang on one second. Bo’s point is just the opposite. He’s hanging out with dictators where, if you’re gay, you’re going to be persecuted. And so he’s hypocritical.
DIETL: Right. Why are you sucking face with them for?
MENENDEZ: Right. To be honest, I do not know that that is what he’s doing, but in spite of that, I think the speech he made was eloquent and it was to the point.
HANNITY: All right, let me ask you.
EHRLICH: It’s all about politics, Sean. You know that. It’s all about politics.
MENENDEZ: It was a political film.
DIETL: Not too many votes, people who were viewing this.
EHRLICH: Sean’s point is, it’s just wildly inconsistent. He’s not consistent.
HANNITY: And let me ask — my wife said to me, and I wasn’t watching, because I was busy prepping for this show. But she said, you know, they keep showing the scenes of men kissing. And I’m thinking do we have to expose our children to more and more sex, more and more violence, you know, more and more controversy? Does that bother you at all?
EHRLICH: My kid’s asleep, but the point is, of course, it’s an agenda, and they don’t care. Look, these are adult subjects, but they’re not for my 9-year-old. This is not a discussion I need to have with my 9- year-old.
MENENDEZ: Do you get upset when you see heterosexual couples doing the same thing on TV?
DIETL: No, I don’t get upset when I see two people in love and kissing each other, but I get upset when a guy is sticking his tongue in another guy’s mouth. Maybe he wants that, but don’t bring that to my children at that age to show it’s an acceptable thing in daylight.
EHRLICH: And I agree. If it’s homosexual or heterosexual, I don’t want my 9-year-old…
DIETL: I’m not against lesbianics [SIC]. I’m not against gays.
HANNITY: What was that?
DIETL: Lesbianics [SIC]. I’m not against them, Sean. Whatever you want to suck on, that’s fine. But my point is — my point is, Sean, but don’t bring it in front of my children while they’re…
(CROSSTALK)
HANNITY: Listen, I’m just more sensitive. If it’s going to be a family event, you know, and you want to — you can’t watch a lot of programs now because of the adult content. We’re robbing these kids, Alicia, of their childhood. We’re over-sexualizing them at younger and younger ages. We’re teaching them how to put condoms on cucumbers and on bananas. And you know what? Why don’t we leave the kids alone a little bit? Have some consideration for them?
MENENDEZ: I have even bigger problems with the amount of violence we show on television.
(CROSSTALK)
HANNITY: Sex and violence.
MENENDEZ: If we’re talking about hypocrisy, then let’s talk about a different standard…
DIETL: Look at the movie that Woody Allen made. This one about Barcelona. He had two gals that went there. One was engaged to be married. The next thing, this guy Javay (ph) — he was up for the Academy Award. Javier. Javier. He’s there, he’s — taking this one, this one, that one. And this is the realm of people’s mind.
This woman was happily engaged. She made some — groping (ph) with him. Then all of the sudden the one that won the Academy Award, she’s in it. She’s jumping in. I mean, this is what Hollywood’s all about, showing people, don’t be true to your loved one. Bounce around.
And you want to know something? Kids get affected by this…
HANNITY: They do.
DIETL: … when they think no one can be sincere.
EHRLICH: And there’s a difference between cartoon violence, like it didn’t impact anybody, and real violence. I don’t want my 9-year-old seeing real adult violence either, and that’s the parents’ job. I’m just tired of Hollywood, their agenda. Unfortunately, the agenda are not fair (ph) today.
HANNITY: I don’t want lectures from Penn or Baldwin or any of these guys.
DIETL: He’s an actor. He’s a great actor.
MENENDEZ: It’s his moment. Let him have his moment.
HANNITY: He’s not that great of an actor. Denzel Washington is a great actor.
DIETL: He’s a friend of mine. I love him. He’s great.
HANNITY: Morgan Freeman is a great actor.
DIETL: He was with me on the — at the table for New Year’s Eve.
HANNITY: All right. We’ve got to run. Good to see you all. Thank you.
DIETL: Good man.
HANNITY: And coming up Obama says that he’s aiming to cut the deficit in half. Well, I guess that means that the tax cuts he promised for 95 percent of Americans are being left on the campaign trail, along with some of his other promises. Dick Morris next. He’ll break it all down, straight ahead.
Oh What a Night!
February 23, 2009
So many great moments took place tonight during the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Relive the night with a little rundown of the evening, provided by glaadBLOG.
First up was Penelope Cruz, winning Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a woman involved with both a man and a woman in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Next came Best Original Screenplay, awarded to Dustin Lance Black for Milk. (Be sure to read his moving acceptance speech here.)
An hour and a half into the ceremony, we were treated to a hilarious spot featuring James Franco and Seth Rogan watching a series of films that came out in 2008. While they both thought The Reader and Doubt were uproariously funny, a tender scene from Milk (Sean Penn and James Franco himself sharing an intimate kiss) got the two guys misty-eyed, and James even put an arm around Seth to be closer to him. Too funny!
Finally, Sean Penn was awarded Best Actor, calling the Academy, “You Commie homo-loving sons of guns!” He went on to address the protesters outside the Kodak Theatre. “I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.”
Take THAT! (Read his entire speech here.)
Congratulations to everyone involved. Though Milk didn’t win all eight of the awards it was nominated for, we are still very happy that such great LGBT-inclusive projects were honored throughout the evening.
Fun fact: Tonight’s awards were produced by GLAAD Media Award honoree Bill Condon.
Sean Penn Wins the Big Prize
February 23, 2009
Though it seemed Mickey Rourke was a shoo-in for Best Actor, Sean Penn took home the Oscar for his portrayal of slain gay politician Harvey Milk. In his acceptance speech, we are delighted he pulled no political punches. We are proud to present the speech in its entirety.
You Commie homo-loving sons of guns! I did not expect this, but I — and I want to be very clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me. Often. But I — I am touched by the appreciation and I hoped for it enough that I scribbled down — so I have the names in case you were Commie homo-loving suns of guns. And so I, I wanted you to thank my best friend Sato Masuzawa. My circle of longtime support, Mara, Brian, Barry and Bob. The great Cleve Jones. Our wonderful writer, Lance Black. Producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks. And particularly, as all us actors know, our director either has the patience, talent and restraint to grant us a voice, or they don’t, and it goes from the beginning of the meeting to through the cutting room, and there is no finer hands to be in than Gus Van Sant.
Finally, for those — two last finallys — For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, and, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.
And there are these last two things. I’m very, very proud to live in a country that’s willing to elect an elegant man President. And a country, who for all its toughness, creates courageous artists, and this is in great due respect to all the nominees. But courageous artists who, despite a sensitivity, that sometimes has brought enormous challenge. Mickey Rourke rises again, and he’s my brother. Thank you all very much.
GLAAD Applauds Oscar Wins for Milk, Vicky Cristina
February 23, 2009
GLAAD congratulates the creative teams and casts of Milk and Vicky Cristina Barcelona which received three Oscars at the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Milk was nominated in eight categories and received the Oscar for BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY for writer Dustin Lance Black, and PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE, to Sean Penn for his role as Harvey Milk. Vicky Cristina Barcelona was nominated and won for PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, for star Penelope Cruz, who plays Maria Elena, a woman who has a relationship with Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) and Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem).
“GLAAD applauds those who have brought the important story of Milk to so many millions of people, and congratulates Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn for their well-deserved Oscar wins,” said Neil G. Giuliano, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). “They are to be commended for telling a story that has the power to inform future generations about the history of our community and our struggles for equality. Through Sean Penn’s own connection with the character, he was able to give audiences the opportunity to learn more about Harvey Milk’s lasting influence on our movement and our community.”
““The success of Milk has tremendous impact in creating awareness, understanding and acceptance during a time when our community continues to face opposition in our pursuit of equality,” added Giuliano. “The images of our community that these and other LGBT inclusive films bring to audiences around the country help people embrace the LGBT community with understanding and acceptance.” According to Harris Interactive’s recent Pulse of Equality survey commissioned by GLAAD, nearly 20 percent of Americans say their feelings toward gay and lesbian people have become more favorable over the past five years. Respondents whose views have become more favorable cited seeing gay or lesbian characters in movies (29%) as a contributing factor.
In openly gay writer Dustin Lance Black’s moving acceptance speech he called for LGBT equality: “If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches or by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours.” During Sean Penn’s acceptance speech he also called attention to LGBT equality. “I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone,” Penn said. Transcripts of both speeches are online at glaadBLOG.
Both Milk and Vicky Cristina Barcelona are nominated for Outstanding Film – Wide Release at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, which honor media for fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community. The 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 28, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis; in Los Angeles on April 18 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE; and in San Francisco on May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco.
Dustin Lance Black’s Moving Acceptance Speech
February 22, 2009
Milk’s screenwriter, Dustin Lance Black, just gave the most incredible acceptance speech after being awarded Best Original Screenplay tonight at the Academy Awards. glaadBLOG is proud to present it here in its entirety.
Oh my God. This was, um. This was not an easy film to make. First off, I have to thank Cleve Jones and Anne Kronenberg and all the real-life people who shared their stories with me. And, um, Gus Van Sant, Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, James Franco, and our entire cast, my producers, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, everyone at Groundswell and Focus, for taking on the challenge of telling this life-saving story. When I was 13 years old, my beautiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Texas to California and I heard the story of Harvey Milk. And it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life, it gave me the hope to one day live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married.
(He chokes up, audience begins to applaud.)
I want to thank my mom who has always loved me for who I am, even when there was pressure not to. But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches or by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours. (Wild applause from the audience.) Thank you, thank you, and thank you God for giving us Harvey Milk.
But why read when you can watch? Good as You has the video. (Thanks for posting!)
Also, Think Progress –
And here is Oscars.com exclusive “Thank You Cam” with Dustin Lance Black:
OSCAR WATCH: Who Supports Marriage Equality?
February 22, 2009
As promised, we’re on the hunt for who will be wearing white knots at the Academy Awards today, symbolizing their support of marriage equality. Emile Hirsch (of Milk fame) was the first to walk the carpet sporting the white knot, around 2:30 pm PST.
3:54 pm — Josh Brolin (also from Milk, nominated for his portrayal of Harvey Milk’s assassin, Dan White) has a white knot firmly pinned to his lapel.
3:56 pm — Gus Van Sant (Oscar-nominated director of Milk) is also spotted with a white knot.
4:09 pm — Milk’s nominated composer Danny Elfman is the first Milk man to be spotted without a white knot. Hmmm.
4:14 pm – Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married) just arrived. Apparently, she promised to wear a white knot, and yet I see no knot in sight. Perhaps her ivory dress is one giant white knot?
4:17 pm – James Franco is in attendance. He won for his role in Milk last night at the Independent Spirit Awards, but I see no knot.
4:18 pm — Sean Penn just pulled up in his limo. No knot. Sigh.
4:21 pm — Got another look at Anne Hathaway. She’s clutching the hand of an older gentleman, who is proudly wearing a white knot! Annie, please accept our apologies for doubting your commitment to the community. If you aren’t going to wear the knot, we’re happy you made your date do so.
4:30 pm — E!’s Ryan Seacrest interviews white-knot-clad nominee Josh Brolin. He says, “I think Harvey Milk was an inspiration — a massive inspiration. Had he stayed alive, had he not been killed, I think a lot of people would have lived through the AIDS crisis, a lot more people than who died. You know, there’s not a lot of heroes anymore, and he was one of the great last heroes that we had in this country.”
4:44 pm — We were hoping that Brad Pitt would be wearing a knot to the Oscars, as he was one of the biggest supporters in the No on 8 campaign, but alas, the nominee is knotless tonight.
5:16 pm — Looks like the interviews are winding down, so we’ll sign off for now. Maybe a surprise presenter will come out with a white knot added to his or her outfit… One can hope! Marriage equality for all!
UPDATE, 6:02 pm: Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black proudly displayed his knot onscreen!
Congratulations, James and Dustin!
February 22, 2009
Yes, we’re on a first-name basis with the men behind Milk, because we’re thrilled to announce that both James Franco and Dustin Lance Black took home statuettes tonight at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Franco was given the honor of Best Supporting Male, while Black was awarded Best First Screenplay.
This doesn’t mean that Milk was the only LGBT-inclusive project honored. Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a film involving a love triangle, was given two awards as well: Best Screenplay (Woody Allen) and Best Supporting Female (Penelope Cruz).
Synecdoche, New York, which features a minor but poignant lesbian character, was also lauded tonight with the awards of Best First Feature, as well as the 2nd annual Robert Altman Award, given to one film’s director (Charlie Kaufman), casting director (Jeanne McCarthy), and ensemble cast.
Unfortunately, Milk was not given awards for all of its nominations. Sean Penn was up for Best Male Lead while Harris Savides was nommed for Best Cinematography. The Wrestler took both categories.
Milk is up for eight Academy Awards, which take place tomorrow night. Be sure to tune into ABC and keep your fingers crossed!
