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.

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Frequently marginalized within a community that already struggles against marginalization – that is, the gay, lesbian and bisexual community – African American transgender males make their voices heard in this film from Kortney Ryan Ziegler. Six articulate black transmen – who are also artists, students, husbands, fathers, lawyers and teachers – speak candidly about race, gender, body image and status.

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Out Late will be preceded by a special screening of the trailer for Gen Silent, a documentary-in-progress about Boston LGBT Aging Project, with director Stu Maddox in person. Please note: tickets are only available at the door for this event (cash only).

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