Fig Trees
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.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
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4 Throats from John Greyson's Fig Trees
Type: Clip • Published 2009-07-17
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →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
Stephen McClare
Translator
Jennifer Moore
Thabo/Manto/Rat
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- John Greyson
- Screenplay & Story
- David Wall
- Original Title
- Fig Trees
- Country of Origin
- Canada
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 40m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
John Greyson
David Wall
Jared Raab
John Greyson
Department Leadership Roster
Jared Raab
Editor
John Greyson
Producer
John Greyson
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
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Frequently Asked Questions About Fig Trees
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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?
The principal cast of Fig Trees includes Van Abrahams, Zackie Achmat, Stephen Chen, Ezra Perlman, Ashton Williams.
When was Fig Trees released and how long is it?
Fig Trees was released in 2009 with a total runtime of 1h 40m.