[projekktor id=’19884′]

Tangerine is a independent comedic drama written and directed by Sean S. Baker from a script he co-wrote with Chris Bergoch. The film was picked up for distribution after premiering at Sundance earlier this year. It stars Kiki Kitana Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, Karren Karagulian, Mickey O’Hagan, and James Ransone.

It’s Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee (newcomer Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) is back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend (James Ransone, STARLET, “Generation Kill”) hasn’t been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, the sex worker and her best friend, Alexandra (newcomer Mya Taylor), 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. Director Sean Baker’s prior films (STARLET, PRINCE OF BROADWAY) brought rich texture and intimate detail to worlds seldom seen on film. TANGERINE follows suit, bursting off the screen with energy and style. A decidedly modern Christmas tale told on the streets of L.A., TANGERINE defies expectation at every turn.

Surprisingly, the entire film was shot on the iPhone 5s. “We realized it could be good for shooting with first-time actors,” explains Baker, “because it wouldn’t intimidate them and the extras that we were grabbing off the street. It allowed us to shoot clandestinely. We were able to have a very small footprint.”

At the July 10 screening in Toronto, Christin Milloy, activist and former team lead at Trans Pride from PRIDE Toronto, and Catherine Brockhurst, sex work activist, will lead in discussions after the film.

Tangerine is rated 14A.