Coming from another culture, a different continent and then watching movie "Milk" a biographical movie, based on the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay American politician and Gay rights activist to be elected as a member of San Francisco Board of Supervisors and understanding the facts wasn't tuff for me. Sean Penn is really an excellent actor. He got into the skin and literally undergone physical and emotional transformations to portray Harvey Milk. The way he looks and all his mannerism, I felt himself is present on the screen. Moviemakers have beautifully portrayed San Francisco of 70's.Specially I liked the way this movie started and the scene where he was shot dead.
Nobody has been able to explain the causes of homosexuality accurately. It's a lifestyle choice of an individual and society should not interfere with it. West is much more liberal towards homosexuality than the East.
One interesting fact about India is that Homosexuality is still a crime there.
But still there are people who believe in their relationships and to avoid the discrimination, many of them do not disclose their sexuality and prefer to shelter themselves in fake marriages, pretending themselves like any other common couple, which indeed turns out to be serious for all those involved in it.Beacuse I am talking about a country where traditions and customs are higher than any other new thing, People here prefer to live in denial rather than facing problems and addressing them. Instead of looking at real issues, they like to close their eyes and dream and pretend that the problems don't exist at all.
"Marriage" in India is supposed to be a magic stick that is meant to cure ALL problems, including homosexuality!
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Comments: 50
Nice post.
Insincere marriages are fraught with problems regardless of the reason. Fortunately, arranged marriages are not necessarily insincere. Right, Buzz?
True, Kat and very sensible .
Yes, John...but don;t know exceptions are everywhere.
The way you describe India is the way things were here in most of the country in Harvey Milk's lifetime. While San Francisco looked progressive, folks in Ohio, Iowa and elsewhere were still in hiding and with good reason to be fearful. It does no one any good to force people to live a lie. Harvey Milk had great courage.
KAY at the end it showed the data of 30,000 people marching in support of Milk ...That's a huge number...In India if people know that he is a gay or got married...he will be murdered.
even some of the dialouges are outstanding.
Milk: How do you teach homosexuality? It’s like French?
Milk: I want born of heterosexual parents, taught by heterosexual teachers, in a fiercely heterosexual society, Why then I'm homosexual?
Milk: “If it were true that children mimic their teachers, we'd have hell lot more nuns running around...”
And here is the ultimate one. This conversation was between Dan While and Milk.
Dan White: Can two men reproduce?
Milk: No, but God knows! We keep Trying……..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvfexvihri8&feature=related
I really think we are born what we are. I don't think most of the time we choose our sexual preference.
I'm still trying to figure out the causes of such things like Catholicism and other magical thinking (I'm being sarcastic, rhetorical and cynical. I've spent my entire life in the study of the causes of religion. The answer is much simpler than people might think)
As a disenfranchised young man coming of age in the 60's, I had many gay (older) friends. I can't recall a time in my life I was offended by homosexuals or homosexuality. I can say, however, I've often been offended by the blind hate and bigotry of the self-righteous parading opinion and fantasy as Truth.
Truly, Pogo was correct when he said: "We have met the enemy and he is us."
Sean Penn has come far since his role in one of my top ten favorite movies, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I look forward to seeing what he does with this role.
Thanks for the thoughtful, well written review.
Hi Trish, hope you're enjoying your success.
Dear Lynn, you're always with the best thought.I appreciate your take on this.Thanks.
Well said and well viewed.Your conmments added xtra spark here.Much appreciated...Will see this movie .Thanks a lot.
Janet...;)
Peter I am enjoying the contest;) Thanks for the 10
Thanks, Priscilla.
Hi Marianne...you will more different views in east.Glad to know your thoughts.Thanks
Sometimes in the heat of the argument we tend to lose our objectivity. At the risk of certain condemnation, I see no evil in this. There are bigger battles to be fought. Let them be what they wish, after all aren't we being the persons we want to be? If not, then therein lies the bigger problem.
I wish marriage WAS the stick that cured all.
Just read your flash-fiction and enjopyed and smiled at so many places...What fun you give to your readers...Thanks
Hi Sister Mariana...Thanks for your kind visit.I have to add something to your group..soon i will...kudos!
Tulip Firm
I respect Sean Penn as a fine actor and for that reason alone I'll see this movie.
I know that Human sexuality is very complicated and I really can't say how much is biological and how much is based on anything else or whether one can truely "switch" between sexual preferences.
Wise words, poddar...
You may also want to see "The Times of Harvey Milk," which is an absolutely fantastic documentary.
But, thanks for adding your insights coming from your cultural understanding and traditions. Indian traditions and rituals are ancient and it is interesting to see how so many people still adhere to the ways of the ancients. I have a dear friend who is of Eastern Indian descent (she was born in Fiji) and her three children all have gone to India for an arranged marriage partner.
I cannot even begin to imagine the extraordinary differences between the culture you were raised in and the culture of the USA..... You are a remarkable woman to have made some of these transitions!
And I agree 100% that Sean Penn is an actor of perfection! Every role he takes on becomes HIM..... if you have not seen the movie that he starred in with a very young Dakota Fanning (I Am Sam) you must see this one too!!