Tangerine Reflection

Tangerine is a compelling movie that is unique in part for its use of iPhone cameras for footage and also for its portrayal of trans people of color. When I was first given an introduction to the film in class, I assumed the film would take on more of a documentary based storyline focusing on different transgender women. To my surprise, the focus was centered more on two fictional characters, Sin-Dee and Alexandra and their respective nights on Christmas Eve. I liked the film because it felt real in a sense. In many cases, transgender women depicted in film are rarely seen as main characters and if so, they are used for comedic relief or merely as background and are often one-dimensional. One concept that makes Tangerine such an important movie for trans women, and especially trans women of color, is that of representation in film. Granted, it is obvious that not all trans women are sex workers roaming the streets of California but at the same time, it is important to note the actual commitment of the casting directors to have fictional stories of trans women portrayed by actual trans women. Many roles such as these are given to well known male actors paid to portray what they think is the life of a trans woman, when in actuality, it would be so much more authentic to cast a legitimate trans woman. The various issues surrounding transgender women were also important to note during the film. For instance, the portrayal of the lead female characters in this movie hints at the idea of the sexualization of trans women both in general as well as in the media. Trans women get thrown into debates concerning their genitalia, the right to use which bathroom, as well many other issues on top of the discrimination they already face for choosing to be their true selves. The scene at the end of the film where Sin-Dee was splashed with a cup of pee from a random driver was also important because it just another example of the disregard by many for trans lives.