Boutique Blu-ray house Second Sight are perhaps best known for their in-depth releases of horror content. The company doesn’t discriminate when it comes to genre however, as they also have a healthy selection of other titles. One such film is the 2015 title, Tangerine, which receives a snazzy Second Sight collector’s edition, full of super special features, an essay-laden booklet, and some fancy artcards to boot.
Tangerine made waves in the film world upon its release in 2015 due in part to its creation. Shot entirely on three iPhone 5S smartphones, it helped break down the walls around movie-making. Director Sean Baker demonstrated that aspiring filmmakers didn’t need to waste time saving up for all the expensive equipment, and proved that smartphone technology had advanced far enough to shoot an entire movie. This might have been a gimmick to some, but it did hook plenty of interest, and luckily Baker’s movie is more than a cheap trick.
Set on Christmas Eve in Hollywood, California, Tangerine follows a day in the life of transgender sex-worker Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez). Sin-Dee is fresh out of a month stint in jail and eager to get back to normal. Whilst catching up with her co-worker and friend, Alexandra (Mya Taylor), she hears that her boyfriend / pimp, Chester (James Ransone), has been cheating on her. Enraged, Sin-Dee begins a one-woman mission across the city to track down the mystery woman and make her pay.
Tangerine taps into the magic of both Clerks and Go, creating a rather unique, technically festive, film. The Christmas season is thrust way into the background, allowing Tangerine to be watchable throughout the year. By keeping the seasonal trappings to a minimum Tangerine gives a more accurate portrayal of December life. Not everyone has a Hallmark movie kind of season, for some, Christmas Eve is just another day. The sunny setting of Hollywood easily helps mask the holidays and allows the viewer to focus on the story that is playing out. The plot is as far removed from the traditional narrative and it simply being a film whose story happens on Christmas Eve is a massive positive in the sea of saccharine.
The ‘day in the life’ narrative structure keeps the story moving and engaging. Being only a snapshot into the lives of Sin-Dee and her friends, there is little in the way of exposition for the viewer to cling onto. Instead, the audience drops in on various characters, most of whom are already in the midst of complicated situations. These fleeting glimpses are tantalising; every character is instantly familiar and worthy of attention. Of everyone, it is perhaps Sin-Dee herself that is the hardest to pin down. She’s constantly on the move, one super aggressive hurricane on a mission, and so she remains much of a mystery. Best friend Alexandra on the other hand is afforded much screen time and she’s a captivating character to traverse the city with.
Historically, sex-workers have not been protrayed favourably on screen. Tangerine spins these conventions on its head and shows them to be fiercely strong women in charge of their own destinies. None of the women featured appear as victims. Each knows her own mind, and their spirits shine through the screen. Whilst Tangerine might not be the most narrative heavy of films, it is these characters that make it as entertaining and endearing as it is.
From a technical standard point, Tangerine is a marvel. Baker’s filmmaking style pioneered modern indie film-making. The fact that phones can now create a picture that is indistinguishable from heavy-duty cameras, opens up a world of possibilities. Were you to settle in to watch Tangerine without knowing about its construction, it would be impossible to tell the difference. For those who want to know more about its creation, the Second Sight release comes complete with several special features that cover its development. Other extras include in depth interviews with most of the cast and crew, making this release a must-have for aspiring filmmakers and Tangerine fans alike.
Tangerine is out on Blu-Ray now via Second Sight.
Tangerine
Summary
Yet another carefully curated disc from Second Sight; add this set to your last minute Christmas shopping list now.
