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Sean Baker's Tangerine is an independent film shot entirely on three separate iPhone 5 cameras. It follows the lives of various communities living in Los Angeles for 24 hours on Christmas Eve. The only glimpse of artificial nature in this film is the idea of Christmas in LA, which is a reoccurring theme. There are strong character investments as they go about their daily lives that can be compared to an entertaining train wreck of a Jerry Springer or Maury Povich episode. Set to a score that sounds as if Tangerine Dream were placed in a blender with Skrillex. Tangerine is an entertaining, comedic, and serious look at the American Dream. If It's A Wonderful Life is the American Dream film, Tangerine is the antithesis of that ethos.

Alexandra (Mya Taylor) and Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) are two transgender sex workers catching up right after Sin-Dee was released from prison. Alexandra acts as the instigator of this Jerry Springer-Maury Povich moment when she tells Sin-Dee her pimp boyfriend Chester (James Ransone) has been cheating on her with a Caucasian girl. Sin-Dee storms out of the doughnut shop, and with Alexandra by her side, they try to get to the bottom of the malicious rumour. Sin-Dee and Alexandra eventually split up, and the break allows for audiences members to see the various subcultures in Los Angeles. An Armenian family man named Razmik (Karren Karagulian) runs a cab service and shares intimate Taxicab Confessions moments with every passenger that enters his taxi. All of the characters are chasing that American Dream, but seem to be failing at it, in the same way that Christmas in Los Angeles feels artificial. The subcultures collide and create one of the most disastrous reunions at the end of the film. 

Tangerine not only challenges the way films are made, it calls attention to various subcultures rarely portrayed on film, and with the issues of transgender phobia. Having the transgender community at the center, we see how there are positive and negative reactions in the community through the film's realistic approach as Sin-Dee and Alexandra interact with the people around them. If you can put up with the idea of having an artificial Christmas, Tangerine is sure to bring the holiday spirit with its uncensored look at LA at Christmastime.

Rating: 4/5

LOCAL
by Catlin Spencer

The online hacking group Anonymous says it is planning revenge for one of their fellow members.

According to the Montreal Gazette, the group claims that it is seeking justice for a man who was allegedly murdered by police at a hydro electric dam in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.

On Sunday, the group hacked both the website and social media accounts of the RCMP.

Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney says he is still working on the situation- however, the RCMP declined to comment on the matter.

INTERNATIONAL
by Patricia Petit Liang

The United States, Russia, Norway, Canada and Denmark have all signed a deal to prevent commercial fishing near the North Pole.

According to BBC News, scientists claim that the central Arctic will not have fish stocks until the ice starts to melt in the summer.

Environmental organization Greenpeace supported the agreement, but criticized it as well.

A Montreal man was refused service at Verdun Hospital on Wednesday after speaking to an administrative clerk in English.

According to CBC News, Praveen Albuquerque was denied assistance and was told by the hospital worker that because he is in Quebec, he must speak to her in French.

Patients’ right advocate Paul Brunet told reporters that although Quebecers are entitled to emergency medical services in both English and French, whether or not non-emergencies or administrative issues can be dealt with in English depends on the availability of personnel.

A representative from the Verdun hospital told reporters that all patients are entitled to service in English and should file a complaint if met with resistance.

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A Toronto Police Services Board meeting was interrupted Thursday by protesters from the Black Lives Matter Toronto activist group- demanding an apology from the police chief and mayor for the death of Andrew Loku.

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Russian president Vladimir Putin rejects the creation of an international tribunal for the investigation of the Malaysia Airline flight 72 downing.

The flight was shot down by a surface-to-air missile, over eastern Ukraine last year, killing 298 people on board.

According to the New York Times, Putin also decries that leaks to the press put the blame on Russian military personel, although the United States pubically blamed pro-Russian separatists.

Russia's Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov accused the U.S of rushing to judgment, on Thursday.