Merry F*cking Christmas: The Making of Tangerine

Merry F*cking Christmas: The Making of Tangerine takes you backstage of the 2015 indie sensation, tracking the filmmakers and performers as they plan, rehearse, and shoot the original film. Rather than a line-by-line retelling, the documentary stitches together interviews, on-set footage, and candid moments to show how a resourceful team turned a tight schedule and tiny budget into a finished movie. You get to hear Sean Baker and his collaborators talk through choices, watch Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez work scenes, and see practical problem-solving in real time, without spoilers about how the final film plays out.

Directed by Phillip Escott and released in 2022, this feature-length behind-the-scenes film centers on the making of Sean Baker's Tangerine, giving voice to the director, producers, and cast who brought the original project to life.

The documentary found a compact release pattern, aimed at festivals and niche audiences, with availability shifting toward digital platforms rather than a wide theatrical rollout. It wasn’t positioned as a major box office contender, instead targeting viewers interested in indie filmmaking and film history.

Tangerine's original release had a noticeable effect on discussions about low-budget production and transgender representation in cinema, thanks in part to its unconventional shooting methods and casting choices. This documentary emphasizes that cultural ripple, showing how a small crew and strong performances helped the 2015 film stick in conversations about DIY aesthetics, casting visibility, and new technical possibilities for indie directors.

Response to Merry F*cking Christmas has focused on its frank, unvarnished access and the way it highlights collaboration and improvisation as artistic tools. Viewers interested in craft will appreciate the film's attention to planning, timing, and the social dynamics on set, while those drawn to representation will see why Tangerine remains a reference point for inclusive casting and resourceful production techniques.