Three decades after Harvey Milk’s sudden death, filmmaker Gus Van Sant and actor Sean Penn teamed up in order to reveal the true identity of the first openly gay man who was elected to public office in America.

Not only does the film aim to portray the last eight years in the life of Harvey Milk, but it also tries to focus on the steps he followed on his way to a political career.

Thus, “Milk” opens with Harvey moving to San Francisco together with his lover, Scott Smith (James Franco), whom he sets up a camera shop with. However, when the two are forced to face bigotry and prejudiced comments, Harvey Milk decides to take control over the gay community in his neighborhood and represent these people in public office.

After several unsuccessful attempts, Harvey Milk gathers sufficient votes so as to become member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

He does not escape chauvinism, nevertheless, as his increasing popularity and influence in the city attract the abhorrence of fellow board supervisor Dan White, played by an incredible Josh Brolin, who eventually murders Harvey White and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, in a bloody incident that took place just one year after Milk’s election.

Sean Penn delivers an extraordinary performance as the film’s lead character, since he manages to motivate and create a center of attention, providing a ceaseless supply of sentiment and power.

And although Mr. Milk did not live to see his dreams come true, he might as well be considered the true initiator of the changes that the gay community benefits from nowadays.