Zero Patience (1993)

Director:

John Greyson

Writer:

John Greyson (writer)

Release Date:

11 May 1994 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Musical

Plot:

The ghost of Zero - "patient zero", who allegedly first brought aids to Canada - materialises and tries to contact old friends...

Plot Keywords:

AIDS | Gay Lead Character | Historic Figures As Characters | Gay Interest | Homosexual

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

John Robinson	...	Sir Richard Burton
Normand Fauteux	...	Zero
Dianne Heatherington	...	Mary
Richardo Keens-Douglas	...	George
Bernard Behrens	...	Dr. Placebo
Charlotte Boisjoli	...	Maman
Brenda Kamino	...	Dr. Cheng
Michael Callen	...	Miss HIV
Marla Lukofsky	...	African Green Monkey
Von Flores	...	Ray
Scott Hurst	...	Michael
Duncan McIntosh	...	Ross
Cassel Miles	...	Barry
Benjamin Plener	...	Ted
Ann Medina

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

UK | Canada

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18

Filming Locations:

City Hall, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Zero Patience Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in La nouvelle Ève (1999)

Why you should see this film twice...

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!