Fig Trees
2009, English. Directed by John Greyson.
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.
- Runtime
- 1h 40m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
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Cast & crew
- John GreysonDirector
- 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
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Fig Trees: quick answers
Is Fig Trees worth watching?
Fig Trees doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is Fig Trees?
Fig Trees runs 100 minutes (1h 40m).
Does Fig Trees have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Fig Trees. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Is Fig Trees suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Fig Trees yet.
What movies are like Fig Trees?
If you liked Fig Trees, try Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, Bad 25, Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger.
Who directed Fig Trees?
Fig Trees (2009) was directed by John Greyson and stars Van Abrahams, Zackie Achmat, Stephen Chen.