Tiger Orange marks the directorial debut of filmmaker Wade Gasque in what The Hollywood Reporter described as being an “unpretentious, smoothly crafted film makes us deeply invested in the outcome.” The film, a sibling-based small-town drama, depicts what Gasque describes as the opposite sides of the out spectrum and their consequences. Tiger Orange has its New York City premiere as part of the 26th NewFest, New York's LGBT Film Festival at the Film Society through July 29.
Two estranged gay brothers attempt to make amends in Wade Gasque’s charming small-town drama. Set against the sun-kissed fields of Central California, and anchored by strong performances from Mark Strano and porn-star-turned-leading-man Frankie Valenti (aka Johnny Hazzard), Tiger Orange pits two diametric opposites against each other—the closeted introvert versus the out-and-proud hunk. The result is a blunt, playful meditation on queer sibling rivalry and the childhood bonds that force us together.
Tiger Orange
Wade Gasque | USA | 2014 | 76m
Responses by Wade Gasque:
On the subject of the film…
It's about gay brothers. The twist? They don't sleep together. It's risky, but I'm hoping the audience will buy it.
On the different ends of the “out” spectrum…
The brothers are living on different ends of the “out” spectrum. One question the film asks is how important is it to say those words to our family, our friends, our co-workers? A lot of people say “Oh my dad always knew. I never really needed to tell him” or “Grandma doesn't need to know. Why would I upset her like that?” I'm really curious what sort of long-term effects saying or not saying those words can have on our psyche.
On the challenge of making the film…
I'm sure I'm joining the chorus here, but money. Money money money money money.
On the influence of other films…
I saw Weekend a few years ago and loved the compact storytelling, the nuanced performances. Brokeback Mountain is my film school, a constant source of inspiration. But Kenneth Lonergan's You Can Count on Me was more of a touchstone for this film. It's a sibling drama. I'm treading similar emotional terrain in Tiger Orange. There’s a bond, a deep knowing we share with our brother or sister, even when our relationship is strained. We lived a life with them, shaped by the same forces. They are perhaps our biggest mirrors… for better or worse.
