A screening followed by a Q&A with director Sean Baker, and cast members Mya Taylor, Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, James Ransone, Karren Karagulian, and Mickey O'Hagan.
Moderated by Eric Kohn, IndieWire.
SYNOPSIS
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 working girl 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.
PANELISTS BIOS
Sean Baker- Director/Editor/Co-Cinematographer/Co-Writer
Sean Baker is a director, writer, producer known for the Spirit Award nominated films Take out and Prince of Broadway. His film Starlet (winner of the Robert Altman Spirit Award) marked the lead role debut of Dree Hemingway and was released in North America by Music Box Films. He is also one of the co-creators of the puppet comedy series Greg the Bunny (IFC/FOX) and its subsequent spin-off, MTV's Warren the Ape.
James Ransone- Actor
James Ransone, best known for his tour de force performances in HBO's The Wire and Generation Kill currently stars in Tangerine, directed by Sean Baker which debuted at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. His prior film with Baker, Starlet, earned Ransone an Independent Spirit Award in 2013. He most recently completed filming Ti West's In a Valley of Violence with Ethan Hawke and John Travolta; the latest installment of the Sinister franchise in which he returns as the lead; and Mr Right opposite Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick - all slated for release in 2015. Last year, he received critical acclaim for his New York theatre debut in Small Engine Repair, written by John Pollono starring opposite James Badge Dale and Keegan Allen. An actor's actor, Ransone has created indelible performances opposite such Hollywood heavyweights as Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Channing Tatum, Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, Josh Brolin and Mark Wahlberg. As well as starring in numerous cable series, Ransone has proven to be a loyal favorite with both director Spike Lee (in Inside Man, Red Hook Summer, Oldboy) and David Simon with roles in all three of his award-winning HBO series including Treme. A former musician and film school dropout, the Baltimore born Ransone repeatedly delivers searing, unforgettable performances making him standout amongst his contemporaries, without ever sacrificing his blue collar roots.
Mya Taylor- Actor
Mya Taylor was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She started her music training at age 8 and quickly became the choir lead at Terry High School, Houston, TX. Her music inspirations are Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, and Tamar Braxton.
As a singer/performer, she has performed in few clubs in LA such as Motherload and a few clubs in Burbank. She has recently turned her sights towards acting. Before Tangerine, Mya appeared in the short Hollywood Wasteland by Bissonica Entertainment.
Kitana Kiki Rodriguez- Actor
Kitana Kiki Rodriguez was born on May 12 1988. She is from San Bernardino CA and lives in Hollywood CA.
Tangerine is her acting debut; prior to the film, she worked at an HIV/AIDS research center as a health educator.
Karren Karagulian- Actor
Karren Karagulian is no stranger to independent film. Having been a staple in every feature directed by Sean Baker ( Four Letter Words, Take Out, Prince of Broadway, Starlet for which he won a Robert Altman Award at Independent Spirit Awards as part of ensemble cast ), Karagulian's "every-man" person spans more than a decade.
Currently, he can be seen in Matthew Barney's River of Fundament and as part of Eric Bogosian's web monologue project, “100 Monologues.” He is also the star as well as co-writer of Angelina Nikonova's second feature, Welcome Home. Karren once again reunites with Sean Baker in Tangerine as Razmik
Mickey O'Hagan- Actor
Mickey O'Hagan is a New York City native who has appeared in other Sean Baker films including the award-winning Starlet. She appeared on the MTV series Warren the Ape and recently starred in Test, which made its debut at the 2015 Dam Short Film Festival. Mickey has lent her voice to hundreds of TV and radio spots as well as providing voiceovers for the Investigative Discovery Channel. She is currently putting the finishing touches on her latest screenplay which has its roots in classic horror.
