Media censorship in Singapore Movies with "strong homosexual themes" are typically given R21 ratings regardless of other content in the film. The American films "Milk", a 2008 biopic starring Sean Penn as gay rights activist Harvey Milk, and "Brokeback Mountain", a 2005 romantic drama about two homosexual cowboys played by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, both received R21 rating for depictions of homosexual sexual activities. However, the 2018 film "Love, Simon" about a gay teenager coming to terms with his identity and finding out which of his classmates is his anonymous online pen pal was given an R21 classification despite having no depictions of
Brokeback Mountain ("The Talented Mr. Ripley"), then a cowboy movie ("All the Pretty Horses"). I can't follow it up with a gay-cowboy movie!" Van Sant went on to make the biographical film "Milk", based on the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk. Joel Schumacher was also linked with the project prior to Lee's involvement. When Ang Lee first heard of the story and screenplay, he attempted to get the film made as an independent producer. However, this did not work out and before Lee would take a break after finishing "Hulk" he got into contact with co-screenwriter and CEO