The Times of Harvey Milk

Directed By Rob Epstein
Produced by Richard Schmiechen
Narrated by Harvey Fierstein
Academy Award, Best Documentary Feature (1984) 

San Francisco in the 1970s became a battleground between an emerging, vibrant gay movement and the communities who felt threatened by this new gay political muscle.

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About

Directed By Rob Epstein
Produced by Richard Schmiechen
Narrated by Harvey Fierstein
Academy Award, Best Documentary Feature (1984) 

San Francisco in the 1970s became a battleground between an emerging, vibrant gay movement and the communities who felt threatened by this new gay political muscle.

In 1978, the struggle came to a head when San Francisco's progressive Mayor George Moscone and City Supervisor Harvey Milk—one of the first openly gay elected officials anywhere—were murdered in cold blood by Dan White—a former City Supervisor, fireman, and police officer.

The community's response—ranging from silent vigil to violent riots—helped define gay politics as we know it. The Times of Harvey Milk tells an emotional story of communities in conflict, centered on the last year of Harvey Milk's life.

The Times of Harvey Milk was the inspiration for Gus Van Sant's movie Milk. It will be re-released on DVD by the Criterion Collection in 2011. A study guide will be available later this year.

Reviews

"One of the great documentaries of our time."
- Leonard Maltin (2004)


"Immensely moving. Combines real emotional urgency with a most compelling grasp of the filmmaking craft."
- Stephen Harvey, Village Voice

"A story told with urgency and passion."
- Janet Maslin, New York Times

 
"Challenging, enthralling, impassioned filmmaking … bri lliant and gripping"
- Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times

Credits

A film by
Rob Epstein and Richard Schmeichen

Directed by
Rob Epstein

Produced by
Richard Schmeichen

Narrated by
Harvey Fierstein

Edited by
Deborah Hoffmann and Rob Epstein

Cinematography
Frances Reid

Music Composed & Performed by
Mark Isham

Associate Producer
Greg Bex

Assistant Editor
Thomas O’Shea

Awards

Partial List…

Academy Award
Best Feature Documentary

New York Film Critics Circle Award
Best Documentary

George Foster Peabody Award
University of Georgia School of Journalism

Special Jury Prize
Sundance Film Festival

Grand Prix
Lyon Film Festival


 

3 National Emmy Awards

National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Outstanding Informational Special

Outstanding Editing

Outstanding Interviewing



The Times of Harvey Milk was recently selected by the prestigious UCLA Film and Television Archives and the Sundance Collection as one of their annual restoration projects. An HD version of this digital restoration will be released by the Criterion Collection in early 2011.

 


Featured Screenings (partial list):

Telluride Film Festival
New York Film Festival
Cinema Du Reel (Paris)
Berlin Film Festival
Antwerp Film Festival
ICA, London
Jerusalem Film Festival
Museum of Modern Art, NY
Sydney Film Festival
Munich Film Festival
New Zealand Film Festival
Melbourne Film Festival
Sundance Festival
Soviet Union National Tour (1990)