“Patient Zero” was released on Kinopoisk. We talk about the drama with Nikita Efremov and Askar Ilyasov

On June 23, Kinopoisk aired the final episode of the drama Patient Zero, starring Nikita Efremov and Askar Ilyasov. The series is based on a true story about the first case of mass HIV infection in the USSR. We tell why it is worth learning about the story that happened in Kalmykia in 1988.

Plot

The action takes place in Elista, where Kirsan Ayushev, a pediatrician at the children’s hospital, suspects that several patients have contracted HIV. The hero is still young and the authorities do not listen to him, but the doctor secretly sends tests to Moscow, worrying about the lives of the children.

As a result, the harsh truth is revealed: in the children’s hospital, HIV and the child whose blood was taken for examination is sick, which means that there may be other cases of infection. And there, before the outbreak of the virus in the USSR, not far.

An epidemiologist from Moscow Dmitry Goncharov is taken to investigate the incident. The journalist Igor Karakhan from the newspaper “Soviet Youth” also comes to Elista, who intends to tell the Soviet people the truth about a possible threat.

Goncharov will have to find the zero patient, uncover the chain of infections and prove to the Minister of Health Yevgeny Chazov the seriousness of the problem and, as a result, obtain the allocation of funds for the purchase of disposable syringes and a test system, as well as for the development of instructions for doctors.

Story

It is worth noting that the events in the series are conveyed exactly in general terms. Patient Zero is first and foremost a work of art. In addition, the authors changed the names of the participants in the events of those years.

The new creation of Kinopoisk is a tense and emotionally difficult story about humanity. Ayushev and Goncharov act as professionals in their field, not chasing promotions or bonuses. The heroes are trying to find the root cause of the incident, help the infected and protect citizens from possible infection.

Ayushev and Goncharov, like real people, are acutely worried about what is happening, because they understand what danger is fraught with an insidious disease. Unfortunately, they are unable to cope with the incurable virus and watch as children die. At the same time, adult patients are afraid to talk about the problem because of the fear of public censure.

Characters

However, not only Ayushev and Goncharov are in the spotlight. In parallel, the authors tell the stories of other people who have faced difficulties with HIV. Separately, I would like to highlight the story of the teacher Gilana and her husband Ivan, who are treated like lepers after news of the infection spreads around Elista.

Not understanding and not knowing the peculiarities of HIV infection, Gilana and Ivan’s acquaintances and colleagues are afraid to be near them and even show aggression. Each Patient Zero plot twist and story works like a piece of the puzzle, helping the main plot to fit into a coherent picture.

The audience will have a detailed story about the personal lives of the characters, in which they will learn the details of difficult destinies and plunge into everyday life. The characters seem alive and real, which is why while watching there are deep feelings. At the same time, there are bright moments in the series that inspire. For example, in one scene, a grandmother gives treats to infected children. After that, it becomes warm in the soul.

Issues raised

The series also takes up the problems of the political and medical systems, and goes into great detail about how ignorance among those who make decisions is harmful. In Patient Zero, government officials go to great lengths to improve their own reputation. They hide from people that a dangerous disease has entered the Soviet Union, and hospitals are not equipped to deal with its spread.

Doctors are afraid of losing their jobs and turn a blind eye to the problem, treating their work with indifference. As a result, due to the lack of proper control in hospitals, there are incidents related to the negligence of employees and theft.

The denouement comes as a surprise to the characters and the viewers themselves, who are at a loss as to who is to blame for the problem with the spread of the infection most of all: patient zero, who did not understand that it all started with him, lack of initiative doctors or politicians who risk people’s health with their silence.

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