Fig Trees
Feb 09, 2009 · 1h 40m
Director
John GreysonOverview
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 of Fig Trees
Van AbrahamsChristopher Moraka- Zackie AchmatChristopher Moraka
- Stephen ChenSaint Caesura
- Ezra PerlmanSt. Martin
- Ashton WilliamsNkosi Johnson
- Denise WilliamsSt. Teresa of Avila
- David WallTim McCaskell
- Deborah OveresGertrude Stein
- Mark HartmeierSt. Peregrine
- Justin BacchusChristopher Moraka
- Stephen McClareTranslator
- Jennifer MooreThabo/Manto/Rat
Crew of Fig Trees
About Fig Trees
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…
When was Fig Trees released?
Fig Trees was released on February 9, 2009.
How long is Fig Trees?
Fig Trees runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
Who directed Fig Trees?
Fig Trees was directed by John Greyson.
Who is in the cast of Fig Trees?
The cast of Fig Trees includes Van Abrahams (Christopher Moraka), Zackie Achmat (Christopher Moraka), Stephen Chen (Saint Caesura), Ezra Perlman (St. Martin) and Ashton Williams (Nkosi Johnson).