Tangerine

Movie Details:

Cast & Characters:

• Kitana Kiki Rodriguez as Sin-Dee Rella, transgender sex worker
• Mya Taylor as Alexandra, transgender sex worker
• James Ransone as Chester, drug dealer and pimp
• Mickey O’Hagan as Dinah, sex worker
• Karren Karagulian as Razmik, Armenian cab driver
• Richard-Lael Lillard as Miss Willy
• Alla Tumanian as Ashken, Razmik’s mother-in-law
• Louisa Nersisyan as Yeva, Razmik’s wife
• Arsen Grigoryan as Karo, Armenian cab driver
• Ian Edwards as Nash
• Scott Krinsky as Parsimonious John
• Clu Gulager as The Cherokee, fare in Razmik’s cab
• Josh Sussman as Retch Chunder
• Ana Foxxx as Selena
• Chelcie Lynn as Madam Jillian
• Jason Stuart as Joey, the doorman
• Katja Kassin as John’s prostitute
• Shih-Ching Tsou as Mamasan, manager of Donut Time
• Julie Cummings as Officer Jules
• Rae L. Siskind as Officer Ray

Storyline:

It’s Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee is back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend hasn’t been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, the working girl and her best friend, Alexandra, embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous rumor. Their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through various subcultures of Los Angeles, including an Armenian family dealing with their own repercussions of infidelity.

About Tangerine Movie:

Tangerine is an American comedy-drama film directed by Sean Baker, co-written by Baker and Chris Bergoch. The film stars Kitana Kiki Rodriguez as Sin-Dee Rella, a transgender sex worker, and Mya Taylor as her best friend, Alexandra. Set on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles, the story follows Sin-Dee as she discovers that her boyfriend and pimp, Chester (James Ransone), has been cheating on her while she was in prison. Determined to confront him and the woman involved, Sin-Dee embarks on a chaotic journey through the streets of Hollywood.

Production

The film is notable for being shot entirely on three iPhone 5S smartphones, which allowed Baker to capture the vibrant and gritty essence of Los Angeles with a unique visual style. The project faced numerous challenges during development, including financing and rights issues, but eventually premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2015. It received a limited theatrical release on July 10, 2015.

Reception

Tangerine garnered critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of transgender individuals and the performances of its lead actresses. Critics praised its screenplay, direction, and the way it captured the subculture of transgender sex workers in Los Angeles. The film grossed over $42 million worldwide against an $11 million budget, making it a significant success for an independent film.

Themes

The film explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and resilience within marginalized communities. It provides a candid look at the lives of transgender women navigating their identities and relationships in a society that often marginalizes them. The narrative intertwines with that of Razmik (Karren Karagulian), an Armenian taxi driver who frequents transgender sex workers, adding depth to the story.

Accolades

Tangerine received numerous accolades, including nominations for Independent Spirit Awards and recognition from various critics’ circles. It was praised for its innovative storytelling and has been recognized as an important work within LGBTQ cinema.

Overall, Tangerine stands out not only for its groundbreaking production techniques but also for its heartfelt narrative that challenges societal norms and highlights the complexities of love and friendship in the lives of its characters.

Budget & Box Office Collection: