Fig Trees
Originally released in 2009. Fig Trees is a documentary/music film. directed by John Greyson.
Starring Van Abrahams, Zackie Achmat, and Stephen Chen
Synopsis
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.
Quick Facts
Release Date
February 9, 2009
16 years ago
Runtime
1h 40m
100 minutes total
User Rating
5.0/10
Mixed (2 votes)
Language
English
Original language
Country
Canada
Production
Director
Top Cast
Van Abrahams
as Christopher Moraka
Zackie Achmat
as Christopher Moraka
Stephen Chen
as Saint Caesura
Ezra Perlman
as St. Martin
Ashton Williams
as Nkosi Johnson
Denise Williams
as St. Teresa of Avila
David Wall
as Tim McCaskell
Deborah Overes
as Gertrude Stein
Mark Hartmeier
as St. Peregrine
Justin Bacchus
as Christopher Moraka
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Production Details
- Status
- Released
- Original Language
- EN
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 co...
Who directed Fig Trees?
Fig Trees was directed by John Greyson.
How long is Fig Trees?
Fig Trees has a runtime of 1 hours and 40 minutes (100 minutes total).
When was Fig Trees released?
Fig Trees was released on February 9, 2009 in theaters.
Who are the main actors in Fig Trees?
The main cast of Fig Trees includes Van Abrahams, Zackie Achmat, Stephen Chen, Ezra Perlman, Ashton Williams.