I was away for the Wellington Film Society screening of Manila In The Claws of Light last week. But I’m glad to be back in time for this Monday’s showing of Tangerine.

I loved this film – it was funny and sad all at once and so profound, the story that helped to sell it was in the low-budget and innovation – shot on an iPhone (actually three iPhones) for next to nothing. It’s also an unusual mashing of genre tropes – part-revenge flick, part buddy-comedy, full of heart and whipsmart.

Then – quite outside of all of that but also informing every frame, every reason for the film’s existence is the honest depiction of transgender sex workers and though neither Kitana Kiki Rodriguez nor Mya Taylor were nominated for Academy Awards there was a huge campaign for openly transgender actresses to be included; their performances were widely praised, the film offering many revelations – in and through both its storytelling and the technical limits imposed.

Sean Baker had made four films ahead of Tangerine and most recently he’s made The Florida Project – also great.

But Tangerine is a special film – its look, its feel, its huge heart. I’m looking forward to see it again. For the first time for me on the big screen. Monday, September 3, Embassy Theatre in Wellington, 6.15pm.

Check out the trailer below – and see here for full notes about the film.

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