Fig Trees (2009)
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.
Cast
- Van Abrahams - Christopher Moraka
- Zackie Achmat - Christopher Moraka
- Stephen Chen - Saint Caesura
- Ezra Perlman - St. Martin
- Ashton Williams - Nkosi Johnson
- Denise Williams - St. Teresa of Avila
- David Wall - Tim McCaskell
- Deborah Overes - Gertrude Stein
- Mark Hartmeier - St. Peregrine
- Justin Bacchus - Christopher Moraka
Screenplay
- David Wall (Musical)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Fig Trees about?
- 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.
- Who directed Fig Trees?
- Fig Trees was directed by John Greyson.
- Who stars in Fig Trees?
- Fig Trees stars Van Abrahams, Zackie Achmat, Stephen Chen, Ezra Perlman, Ashton Williams, Denise Williams.
- How long is Fig Trees?
- Fig Trees has a runtime of 1h 40m (100 minutes).
- What genre is Fig Trees?
- Fig Trees is a Documentary, Music film.
- Where was Fig Trees produced?
- Fig Trees was produced in Canada.