Treeman meets Treeman

This film follows the cases of three men with an extraordinary condition of extreme Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), an extreme version of the common wart virus that leads to shocking tree-like growths from their hands and feet and warts all over their bodies.

We also witness an emotional meeting between two of these ‘Treemen’ – one of whom, Zaenal, was inspired to come out of the jungle hut where he’d been living by the first 'Tree Man', Dede, whom he’d seen on TV after seeking help for his condition.

36 year old 'Tree Man' Dede’s story has created global fascination. He had root-like structures growing out of his body; branches that can grow up to 5cm a year, which protruded from his hands and feet and welts covering his whole body. He underwent a gruelling year of operations and drug treatment and felt hopeful that he’d finally been cured of this shocking condition. But suddenly, one year later, his warts started to grow back.

We follow 'Tree Man' Dede in the months after his first treatment and the lead up to having to go back for surgery once more. We’ll see what impact this has on the new life he was trying to create, away from performing as a circus freak.

Dede’s extraordinary journey will also include his meeting with a leading world HPV expert, Dr Martin Kast, who shockingly reveals to Dede that there is another ‘Tree Man’ in Indonesia.