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.
Milk Acceptance Speeches Censored by News Corp Subsidiary
February 26, 2009
Film buffs from around the world are still buzzing about this year’s Oscar winners. GLAAD was thrilled about Milk being nominated in eight categories and receiving the Oscar for BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY for screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, and PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE, to Sean Penn for his role as the openly gay leader Harvey Milk.
Both of their acceptance speeches that night received rousing cheers and applause from within the Kodak Theater. But millions of TV viewers missed out on their full speeches because they were censored.
Who is responsible? News Corp.
It’s the same media company under fire from many organizations for its defamatory political cartoon in The New York Post.
Specifically, STAR is an Asian TV satellite company and a News Corp subsidiary. The TV service reaches more than 300 million viewers in 53 countries. STAR aired the full broadcast live, but later in the evening showed an edited version of the recorded telecast. Evening viewers tuning into the recorded awards show found the company had edited out the words “gay” and “lesbian” every time they were said on-stage by the screenwriter or actor.
The Associated Press reported the following reason for why “gay” and “lesbian” were cut out of the telecast:
Jannie Poon, STAR’s Hong Kong-based spokeswoman, stressed that the company had no intention of upsetting any viewers, but said it has ”a responsibility to take the sensitivities and guidelines of all our markets into consideration.”
Poon said she was not immediately aware that the speeches had been censored, but noted that STAR’s preliminary ratings for the Oscar broadcasts indicated ”record-breaking” audiences, especially in India and Taiwan.
I don’t think anyone is surprised by the record-breaking audiences. Millions of viewers from around the world tuned in to celebrate some of the best films of our time including gay cinema. Moviegoers were touched by Milk and its historic story about gay and lesbian inequality.
How is STAR being responsible for editing out the words “gay” and “lesbian” when some of its viewers happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender?
In the same AP story, it reported that some people have spoken out on the censorship by STAR. :
”As a gay man, I am truly offended,” Pang Khee Teik, a prominent Malaysian arts commentator, wrote in a letter sent out to several media organizations. ”Stop censoring the words that describe who I am.”
Pang said the move ‘’sent a message … that gays and lesbians are still shameful things to be censored from the public’s ears.”
For those interested in expressing their concerns to STAR, you can contact them here:
Jannie Poon
Phone: 852-2621-8728
Fax: 852-2621-8620
E-Mail: janniep@startv.com
Uncensored Dustin Lance Black acceptance speech:
Uncensored Sean Penn acceptance speech:
Did you see
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.
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!
What to Watch: This Weekend
February 20, 2009
The choice is obvious for this weekend: you should be glued — GLUED, I say! — to your television on both Saturday and Sunday, to (hopefully!) witness the accolades Milk will receive at both the Independent Spirit Awards and the Academy Awards.
Of course, if awards shows aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of other good stuff on…
FRIDAY
> Eleven Minutes, here! (1 hr, 30 min) NEW
Making its television debut, this documentary follows Project Runway designer Jay McCarroll after winning the first season.
> 8:00 PM Degrassi: The Next Generation, The N (30 min) NEW
Football star Riley makes a major confession to his friends. (Hint: It’s why the show is listed on TV Gayed this week.)
> 10:00 PM Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO (1 hr) SEASON PREMIERE
This no-holds barred news show is broadcast live, so you never know what to expect. Bill regularly discusses LGBT issues and features gay panelists and commentators, so check it out!
SATURDAY
> 5:00 PM Independent Spirit Awards, IFC (3 hrs) NEW
Celebrate the best in independent film with host Steve Coogan. Root for LGBT-inclusive noms like Synecdoche, New York (Best First Feature, Best Screenplay), Savage Grace (Best Screenplay) and Milk (Best First Screenplay). Sean Penn and James Franco are also nominated for their roles in Milk, so why fight it? WATCH IT. Airs at 2 pm PST, and at 10 pm EST/PST on AMC.
> 8:00 PM Ebony Chunky Love: Bitch Can’t Get a Date, Logo (1 hr) NEW
Sirius Out Q radio host Keith Price will dissolve you into laughter when he shares his life experience in being a “fresh, fierce and fabulous” black gay man.
> 9:00 PM Law & Order: SVU, NBC (1 hr) REPEAT
If you missed the first airing of this episode on Tuesday, check out “Transitions” tonight. Transgender representation abounds, with a special appearance by The L Word’s Daniela Sea.
> 9:00 PM Color Splash, HGTV (30 min) NEW
Gay interior designer David Bromstad reworks living spaces. . Tonight, he creates a cottage-inspired bedroom.
SUNDAY
> 8:00 PM The Amazing Race 14, CBS (1 hr) NEW
Ten 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.
> 8:30 PM The 81st Annual Academy Awards, ABC (3 hrs) NEW
Have you made your predictions? Will it be Milk or will Slumdog take its place as Best Picture? And what about Sean Penn vs. Mickey Rourke? Who will win that battle? You’ve got to see it to believe it. Hugh Jackman hosts, so even if our faves don’t win, we’ll at least have something nice to look at for three hours. Airs at 5:30 pm PST.
> 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
Yet another reason to kill Jenny: She’s insisting on hosting Max’s baby shower, just days after calling him a “beautiful woman with curves.” Our question: why did Max agree to this disastrous idea?
> 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.
What to Watch: This Weekend
February 6, 2009
So much fun television this weekend — how can you possibly decide? There are the BAFTAs, where Milk is nominated for four awards, as well as a ton of new episodes of GLAAD Media Award-nominated shows, like Desperate Housewives and The L Word. Decisions, decisions…
FRIDAY
> 12:00 AM Sugar Rush, here! (1 hr) SEASON PREMIERE
This British import stars Kim, an out-and-proud 17-year-old lesbian living life to the full on the Brighton LGBT scene… in her dreams. With the help of her friends, she will learn to navigate what it means to be a gay woman in England. Available On Demand.
> 9:00 PM Friday Night Lights, NBC (1 hr) NEW
No appearance from lesbian Mayor Rodell tonight, but stay tuned, because another lesbian will be coming out of the woodwork all in good time. (And sorry, ladies, it’s not Tyra.)
SATURDAY
> 9:00 PM Color Splash, HGTV (30 min) NEW
Gay interior designer David Bromstad reworks living spaces. Tonight he features a rustic bedroom.
> 10:00 PM Desperate Housewives, ABC (1 hr) REPEAT
ABC is re-airing the 100th episode of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated comedy. In the hour, we are treated to many flashbacks, including the time when Edie was married to a gay man!
SUNDAY
> 8:00 PM British Academy Film Awards, BBC America (2 hrs) NEW
Milk is nominated for Best Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Leading Actor (Sean Penn) and Best Makeup & Hair. Watch to see the awards rush in! Airs at 5 PM PST.
> 8:00 PM Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Gay designer Michael Moloney joins the home improvement gang to rebuild a house for a family in need.
> 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
Pregnant transman Max has a tough time adopting. And yet Bette and Tina wish to adopt a baby… Dare we connect the dots, people?
> 9:00 PM Desperate Housewives, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Surprising no one, Bree’s cookbook is a smash success, so she treats herself to a new car. Gosh, she must be doing really well, because she just bought a new house for Andrew and his fiancé.
> 9:30 PM American Dad!, Fox (30 min) NEW
Stan gets addicted to caffeine pills. Roger the Alien talks him off the ledge, while wearing one of his famous wigs, no doubt.
> 10:00 PM Brothers & Sisters, ABC (1 hr) NEW
It’s Scotty’s birthday, so the family gathers at Nora’s to celebrate their newest family member’s big day. But is he the newest? A mysterious phone call may reveal the identity of the missing Walker brother…
> 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.
Sean Penn Adds Another Statuette to His Collection
January 26, 2009
Congratulations to Sean Penn, who took home the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in Milk. The awards ceremony took place last night in Los Angeles.
Milk was nominated for two other awards, including Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (Slumdog Millionaire won) and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight won).
Backstage, Penn told the press that despite all the social relevance of Harvey Milk and the ongoing fight for LGBT rights, he saw his part in the biopic as smaller than that:
I can’t personally approach my work in a way, as an actor, where I’m speculating about the bigger movements. Politics and movies, for example, come from emotion as well as nonpolitical movies. It’s filmmaking and writing that I think are making this thing work. A lot of failed movies have been made of great stories, also.
Milk is up for eight Academy Awards. Does Penn’s win last night help build momentum for the Oscars? Or will another actor swoop in unexpectedly and take hold of the little gold man?
Frankly, it’s anyone’s guess. Get your Oscar pools ready and start voting!
GLAAD Congratulates Milk & Vicky Cristina Barcelona on their Oscar Nominations
January 22, 2009
Today, GLAAD congratulated the creative teams and casts ofMilk and Vicky Cristina Barcelona which received a combined 9 Oscar nominations during today’s announcement of nominees for the 81st Annual Academy Awards.
Below is a statement by GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano:
GLAAD is thrilled with the nominations received by films that tell inclusive stories of our community. The success of Milk is an important reminder to Hollywood that audiences are hungry for films that tell authentic and compelling stories about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Milk has connected with gay and straight audiences alike and created national discussion at a time when our community continues to face opposition in our pursuit of equality.
What people see in the media shapes how they view LGBT people, and inclusive images like these help people embrace their family members, friends and neighbors with understanding and acceptance.
Milk is among the leading Oscar nominees in major categories with 8 nominations:
- BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
- PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE – Sean Penn
- PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – Josh Brolin
- ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING – Gus Van Sant
- BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY – Dustin Lance Black
- ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN – Danny Glicker
- ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING – Elliot Graham
- BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – Danny Elfman
More from Giuliano:
What writer Dustin Lance Black and director Gus Van Sant have remarkably done is tell a story that celebrates the man, the era and the greater LGBT movement. Their work on Milk has the power to inform new generations of the history of our community and our struggles for equality.
Today’s Best Actor nomination for Sean Penn is so richly deserved. His groundbreaking performance gave audiences the opportunity to get to know Harvey Milk’s conviction, passion and the indelible influence he had on our movement and our community.
Drink It In: Milk Wins Two Critics Choice Awards
January 9, 2009
Last night at the Critics Choice Awards, Milk reigned supreme when it came to acting. Not only did Sean Penn win Best Actor for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, but the entire cast was honored with the Best Acting Ensemble award.
The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics organization, with more than 200 members in the U.S. and Canada who work in television, radio and the Internet. The BFCA gave Milk eight nominations, but as we all know, this year’s awards race is very tight. The fact the film brought home two awards is absolutely to be commended.
Will Penn continue on his journey of winning every acting award in sight? Be sure to watch the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday at 8/7c on NBC.
Palm Springs Film Fest Honors Van Sant, Penn
January 7, 2009
Hollywood temporarily moved to the desert last night for the opening of the 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. The star-studded event included the likes of Milk’s Gus Van Sant and Sean Penn, both of whom were honored in the awards gala.
Milk star Josh Brolin presented director Gus Van Sant with the Sonny Bono Visionary Award.
And activist Cleve Jones, played by Emile Hirsch in Milk, presented the Desert Palm Achievement Award to Sean Penn. When accepting the statuette, Penn talked about his performance. “I was here last year,” he said. “Daniel Day-Lewis was here last year and when I saw what he did in that movie (‘There Will Be Blood’), boy, it’s challenging. (I thought) ‘I’m going to have to work a little harder.’ And I did work a little harder.”
