James Schamus' letter to the editor

October 28, 2008 Focus won't 'Milk' it, about our marketing of director Gus Van Sant's film about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to major public office in America. First of all, to the charge of "hiding" the film (for which, given its post-production schedule, we have only had finished prints at hand for a couple of weeks - a fact conveniently missed by your reporter), I can only say that I happen to be writing this while on my way to the airport for a flight to San Francisco, where we shall world-premiere the film Oct. 28 at the Castro Theatre, across the street from the storefront where Harvey began his political career. The after-screening gathering will be held at San Francisco's City Hall, and today has been proclaimed "Focus Features Day" by the Mayor -- who clearly didn't get The Hollywood Reporter in time to understand our underhanded, apolitical approach to marketing the film.

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