Analysis of The Times of Harvey Milk Essay

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Harvey Milk 1974 by Rob Epstein

One among the foremost feature documentaries that revolve around American gay life, Rob Epstein's The Times of Harvey Milk, is a creation of advocacy, taking Harvey's message of equality and hope to a larger audience. The documentary was envisioned to be an emotional narrative, which straight as well as homosexual viewers could access. The production technique of the film was extremely collaborative; moviemakers, advocates, and journalists hailing from diverse communities contributed their voice and stories, in addition to archival footage, feedback, and financial backing (Esther, 2009).

While The Times of Harvey Milk wasn't a hit at the box office, its theatrical release propelled the movie, with critical validation and awards, on a non-theatrical run that lasted long. Despite being one among the most renowned of documentaries to be released in recent decades, The Times Of Harvey Milk was received more often as a political event rather than a cinematic one; its reception is the same to this day (Esther, 2009).

The filmmaker, Epstein, while explaining his position within the movie, stated in a 2009 interview that his approach to the issue had no political agenda linked to it. The documentary begins with addressing the topic, its humanity, and having faith in the rest (Esther, 2009).

Epstein's core team, which included Bex, Hoffman, Schmiechen, and Reid, planned this project to be a documentary of one-hour duration, with four acts corresponding roughly to its introduction, development and close: a highly distilled account of Harvey Milk's roots and identity; the campaign labeled 'No on 6'; the assassination; and Dan White's trial and ensuing "White" Night riots in response to the verdict (New Yorker DVD Audio commentary, 2004).

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Epstein states that the entire documentary is devised to touch viewers emotionally. The team really strived hard towards recreating genuine emotions felt by people during the time, to ensure that viewers of the movie would get the same experience. While the documentary is relatively modern when taken from a stylistic viewpoint -- biographical photographs, talking heads, abundant archival footage, and narration (Harvey Fierstein) -- its structure is rather unexpected (wordscreenpark, 2010).

Hardly any screen time is devoted to Harvey's childhood and adolescence in this 88-minute documentary. After a mere seventeen minutes into the movie, he is already elected, with his assassination shown at the 53-minute mark. The net outcome is two-fold: directors can adopt a conventional three-act film structure, and the majority of the documentary's running time can be concentrated on Milk's 11-month-long career as city supervisor of San Francisco (wordscreenpark, 2010).

It is commented by someone in the documentary that Milk represented "something more than just him;" this sincere and strongly constructed documentary ensures this point is very clear. The assassinated Milk's personality is expressed strongly throughout the movie; however, the prime concern of the documentary isn't his personality. Robert Epstein, co-director of the equally touching "Word is Out," reflects how Milk symbolized one societal segment and his slayer, Dan White, symbolized another. (Dan White was a disgruntled ex-Supervisor, who shot Harvey Milk and Mayor of San Francisco, George Moscone, in 1978). Epstein follows the conflict that transpired between them -- a conflict so intrinsically dramatic that 'The Times of Harvey Milk' can hinge on a plain, basic style….....

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