Paciente Zero

The ghost of Zero - "patient zero", who allegedly first brought AIDS to Canada - materializes and tries to contact old friends. Meanwhile, the Victorian explorer Sir Richard Burton, who drank from the Fountain of Youth and now works as Chief Taxidermist at the Toronto Natural History Museum, is trying to organize an AIDS exhibition.

The mainstream Austin Chronicle cited a "murky plot, frequently weak acting and often mediocre music" while still praising the film's "spunk, humor, enthusiasm and wit." This is pretty much it. The film itself is not very good, though you can see it was striving for something bigger and better. Then again, by having your lead be a time-displaced scientist, how seriously can we take it?

The Washington Post compared Zero Patience unfavorably to Hollywood's big-budget, big-star AIDS-themed film, Philadelphia, claiming that the latter's protagonist, Andrew Beckett, "looked sick, dealt with his illness and allowed the audience to sympathize," unlike the "healthy hoofers" of the musical who, because they didn't look sick enough, seem "to deny some of the grim realities" of the disease. Now, I don't know that the two films can be compared, but I do agree that the film seemed to promote sexuality without accepting any of the negative aspects... dispelling the "patient zero" myth is a good thing, but it doesn't mean we can go back to our bad habits!

I was introduced to this film (yes, FILM) by a professor of film at Texas A&M University. I know, most would think that those two clash: a queer film at one of the most conservative "schools" in the country, but she's a lesbian.

The music still entertains me, and "Just Like Scheherazade" is such a touching song.

As a gay man with AIDS, this film is radical, emphatically hilarious and exudes the attitude that those with this disease need to embrace. Don't sit around waiting to die...laugh at yourself. And make a musical!

Anywho. Word is that "Zero Patience" will FINALLY be released in the U.S. on May 31, 2005! It will have two music tracks and a bonus music video.

VideoETA informed me that it would be May 17, but both TLA Video and Amazon claim the 31st. Either way, it's coming, and about time, too!

Why should you sit down and watch a Canadian gay AIDS musical eh?

Well firstly dismiss all pre-conceptions - yes that does include the Canadian ones! Don't sit down expecting to see something with a grave tone and serious approach - you'll be disappointed. What you will see is a touching and at times both romantic and funny piece of cinema. If you're into obscure classics then this may be the ultimate! There is a serious message at the core of course but the flashy sets and music see to it that it's not just an extended eductional film (though it probably should be)......

The first time I saw this it was by accident.... I was sat there in the middle of the night, nothing much to watch, and suddenly this amazing *thing* happened and I was sat glued to Zero Patience. I thought it was interesting, but was utterly bemused by the songs - at that point I had not really understood the lyrics, was not well educated enough about AIDS to get the subtleties and seemed to be watching a lot of gay programming without knowing why I was... I have now discovered that it was all a matter of vested interest! Anyway...

You do not need to be gay or be HIV+ to "get" this film. In fact awareness is such amongst the gay and +ve community that I daresay the BEST audience this may have is straight people - even if some of the - and I use the phrase loosely - "plot" does alienate them a little. The irreverence may alienate anyone, but it's been produced for the most reverent reasons so don't judge too soon

You won't appreciatte this film the first time I promise you. It will leave your head full of obscure images though; if all you can remember of a mad musical is drag queen viruses, talking assholes and a 150 year old scientist hiding out in a Canadian museum (!) then this is the movie you've seen!

And doesn't that description make you want to see it? Come on! You must be intrigued at least...

Watch it once for interest. Watch it a second time to enjoy (you are allowed to enjoy political films about devastating epidemics.). Watch it a third time to revel in the romance and get angry with the authorities. JUST WATCH IT!

And if you've just seen it PLEASE add your comments to this small collection - disagree with all I've just said if you want but don't sit silent nodding and shaking your head - do something proactive!

One of those totally surprising contributions that remind us that there are still film-makers with talent and originality out there.

This Canadian film is hard to classify - it's costume drama, romance, Broadway musical, ghost story, mocumentary, educational film, puppet show, and political soap-box all at the same time.

It tells the story of the noted Victorian sexologist Richard Francis Burton (still alive after an unfortunate encounter with the fountain of youth) and Patient Zero, the man who, according to the media beat-up, brought AIDS to North America. After three years dead, Zero returns (not quite to life) to clear his name, but the only person who can see him is Burton, who wants to use his story as the centre-piece of his banal 'Hall of Contagion' exhibition.

Nineteenth century attitudes collide with twentieth century morality. Things get really sticky when the local AIDS activists weigh into the argument ...

Gorgeous original score, singing bottoms, dancing (stuffed) animals, talking viruses, synchronised swimming, a chorus of naked men, taxidermy! - there's something in this film for everyone.

Funny, bizarre, devastatingly sad - this three-tune-musical-on-film has got everything, though not everyone will cope with the grown-up content and highly theatrical treatment.

Exotic fruit indeed: witty, subtle, and not-so-subtle, with lots to think about - well worth seeing, and not only as a rare example of how to make a musical work on film.

The most extraordinary thing about this film to me is that during a Gay Pride day in Toronto, I met some people that I knew and mentioned to them that I had seen them in Zero Patience. I then began to sing the praises of this film, and a moment later, they introduced me to the friend who was with them. His name was John Greyson, and he was the director of the film I had just raved on about! Well, he certainly knew I wasn't just being polite! :0) I gave this film an 8 out of ten, first of all because of the fact that anyone who can make a musical comedy about AIDS right in the middle of the epidemic and pull it off has got balls. Secondly, he did it with an outrageous satire that spares no-one, from the devious doctors to the exploitative politicians, and even takes on Act Up members with aplomb. Some people have said bad things about the musical numbers; I found them to be full of surprise, inventiveness, humour and camp - not to mention a touch of whimsy and pathos. This film has so much packed into it that it almost defies definition. But all in all it works. Finally, although the tone is continually exaggerated, the actor playing Patient Zero managed to flesh out his character to the point where we could relate to a "real" person. And boy, is he sexy! So, I ask you, what is there not to like?