In 2015, a film shot with 3 iPhone 5S shook up the world of independent cinema. In Tangerine, American director Sean Baker follows two trans women sex workers in Los Angeles, in a raw, funny and shocking comedy that’s a world away from Hollywood clichés. This critically acclaimed underground gem, with a score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, returns to the big screen in Brussels, for a special screening as part of Pride Month. A not-to-be-missed event for film buffs, the curious and all those interested in LGBT culture.
Tangerine, a film unlike any other, to be seen again in Brussels
Shot in just five weeks, exclusively with smartphones attached to stabilizers, the film follows Sin-Dee and Alexandra. These two trans friends roam the sunny, yet cruel, streets of Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. Although this comedy, loosely based on Cinderella, sometimes verges on the absurd, it is inspired by a very real reality: that of the street, of exclusion, but also of solidarity.
Known for his tender look at the margins, Sean Baker co-wrote the screenplay with the lead actresses, Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor. Both non-professionals at the time, they inspired the dialogues and situations. The result?A trashy yet vibrant urban road movie, imbued with raw realism.
Tangerine won several prestigious awards, including the Audience Award at the Gotham Awards, and earned Mya Taylor the title of Best Supporting Actress at the Independent Spirit Awards. Since then, the director has made a name for himself with, among others, 2017’s excellent The Florida Project. He also made his mark with Anora, with which he won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2024.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALSwWTb88ZU
A committed screening during Pride Month: Sean Baker’s Tangerine
It’s no coincidence that Tangerine is being shown again in Brussels as part of Pride Month. This series of events celebrates the diversity of identities and the richness of LGBTQIA+ cultures around the world. Indeed, to choose this film is to shine a light on voices that are all too often marginalized, those of trans women who are racialized, precarious, but powerful in their humanity. It’s also a reminder that Pride isn’t just a celebration: it’s a space for memory, struggle and visibility.
Cinéma Galeries is screeningTangerine in Brussels on Tuesday June 17 in its original version with subtitles. What’s more, Marianne Chargois and Daphné Davin, two committed voices on the queer scene, will introduce the screening. Another good reason to see it in theaters.
📍 Location: Cinéma Galeries, Galerie de la Reine 26, 1000 Brussels.
📅 Date: June 17, 7pm.
🤑 Price: 9.8 euros / 7.8 euros reduced rate.