Killing Patient Zero Film & Q&A
2020 / Subtitles available
Directed by: Laurie Lynd
When a new, deadly virus spreads across North America at an alarming rate, one man is singled out for bringing the disease to the continent. Spanning the 1970s until today, the story of Gaétan Dugas – aka ‘Patient Zero’ – serves as the perfect microcosm of the evolution of AIDS in America and the country’s response to it.
Q&A Included
This film of KILLING PATIENT ZERO includes a recording of the special q&a livestream with award winning director Laurie Lynd, in conversation with Bohemia Euphoria's Platform Director, Miranda Fleming. Laurie speaks with Miranda about his experiences growing up as a gay man in the 70's and 80's and gives incredible insights into some of the characters who shaped the story of KILLING PATIENT ZERO such as Randy Shilts (author of AND THE BAND PLAYED ON) and working with legends in the film like Fran Lebowitz. Tune in and listen in to this intriguing conversation.
What we love about this film
Over the last few years, there have been a host of enlightening pieces of art set around the beginning of the AIDS crisis - It's A Sin, 120 BPM and Pride to name a few! Killing Patient Zero takes us back to the 1970s with testimonies from people who lived through that time, and emotionally dispels the reprehensible contemporary attitudes towards the supposed 'Patient Zero' of the AIDS crisis, Gaetan Dugas. We will always recommend a documentary that educates us on the unsung changemakers of what have been forced - through bigoted attitudes widespread misinformation and stigma - to become political movements.
Awards and festivals
In the press
""The doc presents a deeply personal portrait of Dugas, featuring affectionate reminiscences from several of his friends, colleagues and lovers.""
FRANK SCHECK
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
""Riveting throughout, Killing Patient Zero uses a traditional documentary structure, combining talking head interviews with archive video, audio and photographs to impressive effect.""
JAMES KLEINMANN
THE QUEER REVIEW
""The interviewees of Killing Patient Zero share some wonderful and heartbreaking coming out stories and tales of finding relief in the ability to live without feeling like they’re hiding.""
PAT MULLEN
POV MAGAZINE
