Mon 26 Jan 2009 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
In a remarkably gay ceremony Sean Penn has been named best actor by the USA's Screen Actors' Guild for his starring role in the Gus van Sandt directed biopic Milk. Another accolade: Sean Penn as Harvey Milk The award, officially for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, follows broad acclaim for Penn's portrayal of Harvey Milk, the gay San Francisco Supervisor (similar to a city councillor in New Zealand) who, along with Mayor George Moscone was shot dead by a homophobic fellow supervisor. Milk was the first openly homosexual American to be voted into public office. 'Gay' seemed to be the subtext of the awards ceremony, with Alec Baldwin telling the audience that he wants to make out with Anthony Hopkins, out actor Bryan Batt hugging his partner when his Mad Men cast won Best Comedy Ensemble, a "Gays! Gays! Gays!" portion of the movie montage, featuing scenes from Brokeback, Six Feet Under, Ellen, Philadelphia, Milk, and more, and Josh Brolin payfully pinching James Franco's backside. Speculation is now rising that Milk, with eight Academy Award nominations, is a serious contender in many of its categories. The Oscars will be dished out on 22 February. Milk opens in cinemas across New Zealand on Thursday 5 February, following GayNZ.com's screening in Auckland on Wednesday 28 January, and an OUTline NZ fundraising screening on Wednesday 4 February.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 26th January 2009 - 9:08pm