Analyzing Social Conditions in Orlando and Tangerine Films

This essay analyzes the films "Orlando" (1992) and "Tangerine" (2014) to explore their representations of womanhood and social conditions. The essay examines how each film utilizes mise-en-scene and cinematography to frame these themes, focusing on the transformation of Orlando's character and the depiction of trans-street culture in Tangerine. It compares specific sequences from both films to argue how they engage with questions of feminism and challenge traditional representations. The analysis considers the films' approaches to gender identity, societal expectations, and the power of discourse in shaping perceptions of womanhood, drawing on critical perspectives from Butler, Williams, and Somerville to support its arguments. Ultimately, the essay aims to demonstrate how both films offer unique insights into the complexities of social change and gender representation in cinema.

Running head: SOCIAL CHANGE AND FILMS
Social Change and Films
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

SOCIAL CHANGE AND FILMS
Q4) In looking at Orlando (1992) and Tangerine (2014), how do they each represent the
social conditions of womanhood in society? How are these conditions framed and represented
through the mise-en-scene and cinematography? Compare and contrast one sequence from each
film in order to make a persuasive argument about how these films access questions of
feminism.
The movie “Orlando” (1992) is a British period drama, which depicts the fictional sexual-
transformation of the man to women. This movie skillfully depicts the theme of gender
determination, masculinity and conformation to society. After the transformation, Orlando as a
character was unable to feel the difference. However, he started to realize the impact of the
change when people started to judge him in accordance to his sexual identity (Somerville, n.d.).
This made it clear that womanhood is not something, which is sexual, but it is more social as it is
a performative act. (Osborne, 1996). The mise-en-scene and cinematography of the movie has
remarkably shown the time-driven aspect of the plot. Since the plot was to defy the linearity of
the character of Orlando the focus was more on observation and less on change. Thus the
performance of the character through the mise-en-scene and cinematography of the movie.
Tangerine (2014) is a movie where the trans-street culture is displayed with confidence
and warmth. This movie glides through the free plot where there is less restriction in form of
codes and regulations. It also introduces the sordid images that existed in the sub-cultures of los
angles but in a sweet and subtle way. This movie depicts the paradigmatic shift from the
heterosexualization of social bond and opens the gateway to other nuances that were left out in
the mainstream culture (Butler, 1993). In terms of mise-en-scene and cinematography the pairing

SOCIAL CHANGE AND FILMS
of sunset and Christmas eve equally provide us with the knowledge of seedy side of L.A but
again in a realistic manner thus making it blend of color, beauty and life.
The scene play in Orlando displays the struggle in a pronounced way but the tangerine is
more like a gloss over on the various nuances that are left out in the discursive practice of time
(Butler, 1993). In this movie, the theme of feminization of suffering body has also received a
major shift from the traditional way of display (Williams, 2001). Thus providing a jolt to the
power of discourse where power is de-centered.

SOCIAL CHANGE AND FILMS
Reference
Butler, J. (1993). Critically Queer. A JOURNAL OF LESBIAN I GAY STUDIES, Vol. 1, pp.pp.
17-32.
Osborne, P. (1996). A critical Sense. Routledge.
SOMERVILLE, S. (n.d.). Racial and Sexual Transformation in A Florida Enchantment. The
Queer Career of Jim Crow.
Williams, L. (2001). Playing the race card: melodramas of Black and white from Uncle Tom to
O.J. Simpson.