FIG TREES is a documentary opera about AIDS activists Tim McCaskell of Toronto and Zackie Achmat of Capetown as they fight for access to treatment drugs. Documentary interviews, speeches, press conferences and demonstrations are sampled, taken apart, and set to music, replayed this time as operatic scenes. A surreal fictional narrative is intercut with the stories of their struggles against government and the pharmaceutical industry. In this fictional world, Gertrude Stein decides to write a tragic opera about Tim and Zackie and their saint-like heroism. She kidnaps them, transports them to Niagara Falls, and forces them to sing a series of complicated avant-garde vocal compositions. However, when Zackie ends his treatment strike and starts taking his pills, Gertrude realizes that there will be no more tragedy, and thus, no more opera.
Where to watch
Not streaming anywhere
Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
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Cast
22 people
Van Abrahams
Christopher Moraka
Also in
Night of the Dribbler
Zackie Achmat
Christopher Moraka
John Greyson
Stephen Chen
Saint Caesura
Also in
Door Prize
Damion Nurse
Ezra Perlman
St. Martin
Known for
Avenging Angelo
Jared Raab
Ashton Williams
Nkosi Johnson
Bill Layton
Alexander Chapman
Known for
Lilies
Denise Williams
St. Teresa of Avila
David Wall
Tim McCaskell
John Greyson Director · Jared Raab Editor Bill Layton Production designer
United States release May 23, 2009 · Produced in Canada
Production
Canada
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English
Release dates
Canada · February 9, 2009
Theatrical
United States · May 23, 2009
Seattle International Film Festival
France
November 21, 2009 · Paris Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Germany
February 9, 2009 · Berlin International Film Festival
Netherlands
November 1, 2009 · IDFA Festival
Poland
December 10, 2009 · Watch Docs Film Festival
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Some details come from TheTVDB.