George Whipple: Why is the Harvey Milk story the real story of America?

Penn: That's one big question! Because the real story of America is individual freedom. That's what Harvey Milk represented, that's what he fought for, that's what he died for.

Gus Van Sant, who directed "Good Will Hunting," helmed "Milk," mixing restored archival footage and actors.

"Just to keep [singer and anti-gay rights activist] Anita Bryant like from seeming like a cliché we used the real footage of her," says Van Sant. "We had looked for a lot of footage and in doing so we found all kinds of other footage that seemed to fit."

Dustin Lance Black wrote the screenplay.

"I had a theater director who told me the story of an out gay man. So I never knew there was such a thing, and I was a closeted kid, so it did give me a lot of that hope that Harvey talks about," says Black.

Josh Brolin plays the late San Francisco supervisor and murderer of Harvey Milk, Dan White.

"I don't think Dan White's intentions were bad," said Brolin. "I think he was a good guy who was incredibly frustrated who was ordered to the worst situation."

James Franco, who plays Milk's lover in the movie, believes in the star quality of Milk.

"I think Milk was a charismatic and incredibly charming guy, also someone who was very passionate about what he believed in and was willing to fight for it," says Franco.

For Penn, the movie is about Milk.

"Somebody whose notion of politics and community was one where he became such a symbol of hope for so many people, a truly electric character who was valuable for everybody to know," said Penn.

"Milk" is in theaters the day before Thanksgiving.