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Deep Dive: Killing Patient Zero (2019)

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Killing Patient Zero
Killing Patient Zero is a documentary directed by Laurie Lynd that focuses on Gaëtan Dugas, a Canadian man linked to the early HIV/AIDS epidemic in North America. The film addresses the mischaracterization of Dugas as 'patient zero,' a label that emerged from Randy Shilts's 1987 book And the Band Played On, which used Dugas's story to illustrate contact tracing in the context of the epidemic. Through this lens, the film examines the societal impact of labeling and stigma associated with the disease. The film premiered on April 26, 2019, at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and was released commercially on July 26, 2019. With a runtime of 99 minutes, it presents a nuanced portrait of Dugas and seeks to correct the misconceptions surrounding his role in the epidemic, ultimately reflecting on the wider effects of how individuals are portrayed in the media.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Gaëtan Dugas, the man wrongly labeled 'patient zero'.
  • •See how media narratives shaped public perception of AIDS.
  • •Find out the truth behind the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Did You Know

•Gaëtan Dugas was one of the earliest diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients in North America.
•The term 'patient zero' was popularized by Randy Shilts's book published in 1987.
•The film premiered on April 26, 2019, at the Hot Docs festival.
•Killing Patient Zero was released commercially on July 26, 2019.

Perfect For

HIV/AIDS historyMedia representationPublic health issues