Milk is a celebration of the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California. Starring Sean Penn in an Oscar-winning performance, the biopic profiles Milk from his 40th birthday until his death, chronicling his move to San Francisco and his rise to prominence in the gay community; his various – and ultimately successful – attempts to get elected to local government and the causes he championed along the way.
Despite the fact that the film's events play out in the 1970s, most of the original locations in San Francisco were used as sets with minimal redressing. City Hall, for instance, is exactly as it appears in the film, a majestic beaux arts monument occupying two full blocks of Polk Street. Although most of the interior scenes were shot elsewhere, you'll recognise the rotunda and grand marble staircase leading to the board of supervisors' meeting chamber, at the top of which now stands a bronze bust of Milk.
Hop on one of the city's iconic streetcars and head to the Castro district, which is at the heart of both the film and Harvey Milk's life. This vibrant, mid-city neighbourhood runs along Castro Street south of Market Street and became a magnet for thousands of gay people following the famed "summer of love" in 1967. Although not as politically tumultuous as it was in the 70s, the Castro district is still a centre of gay, lesbian and transgender activism and home to many gay-friendly businesses.
The neighbourhood's landmark is the Castro theatre, a grand, Spanish baroque cinema built in 1922. It was restored and repainted for its role in Milk, which in turn had its world premiere here in 2008. This arthouse cinema is an atmospheric venue in which to watch a movie, after you've explored the neighbourhood's lively cafe scene and trendy boutiques.
From here it's only one block south to 575 Castro Street, formerly the site of Castro Camera, Milk's photography shop. He rented the premises and the upstairs apartment in 1972, and over the following six years the address served as his campaign headquarters. The original space was redressed for the film, after housing a variety of businesses over the years. Look for the small plaque commemorating Milk on the pavement, under which some of his ashes are buried.
Of all the tributes to Milk, the greatest is just up the street, at the corner of Market and Castro. This is the spot where Milk led rallies and captivated audiences with his impassioned pleas for equal rights. It's now called Harvey Milk Plaza and above it flies a huge rainbow flag, visible from nearly every corner of the city – proof that Milk's legacy lives on.
Watch Milk on Sky Movies Modern Greats on Sunday 20 February at 8pm
