SAN FRANCISCO, CA  --  San Francisco's famous gay neighborhood, Castro Street, is set for a makeover later this month when the filming starts on Gus van Sant's new movie about gay rights activist Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to office in the U.S.

The Bay Area Reporter reports that some old haunts return to Castro Street, like the fabled Toad Hall bar – now part of Walgreens – and Milk's old camera shop – now the home of gift store Given – as the filmmakers recreate the streetscape from the days when Milk reigned over the area as the "mayor" of Castro Street.

"We want to dress this neighborhood the best we can like the 1970s," said Jonathan Shedd, the film's location manager. "We hope to create a feel that works."

Cars from the era will be parked on the streets, awnings and street signs of businesses postdating that time will be changed and even the historic Castro Theatre will be brought back to its old glory.

Directed by openly gay, Oscar-nominated Gus Van Sant, and starring Bay Area resident Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the movie will depict Milk's rise from political agitator to successful candidate in the 1977 supervisor race and end with his assassination inside his City Hall office a year later.

Out producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen have taken the rather unheard of step in the film business these days of shooting the movie entirely on location.

"We were asked where we would make the film and told 'You can't shoot it in San Francisco. It would be too expensive.' We said this is not just a story of a man, but it is a story of a city and a neighborhood," said Jinks.

The movie starts shooting on Wednesday, January 22, and is expected to go on for 3 weeks. Much of the filming will be centered around 19th Street and Castro, where a recreation of the first Castro Street Fair will be staged.

(via Towleroad)

Last update: 01-10-2008 13:24