Love, ’90s nostalgia and flash mobs capture a bygone era in Apple’s latest charming “Shot on iPhone” film in China, launched for the iPhone 16 Pro in time for Chinese New Year. 

Apple’s eighth Chinese New Year film, “I Made a Mixtape for You” was created by TBWA\Media Arts Lab Shanghai and showcases the technical capabilities of the iPhone 16 Pro through a whimsical musical that addresses the complex dating culture in China, as modern-day couples grapple with traditional expectations of love and marriage from their elders.

Directed by “The Greatest Showman” director Michael Gracey, the film follows a young 21st-century man who is dealing with the pressure of getting married at the behest of his loved ones. Feeling his elders oversimplify what it takes to find love, he is transported to the ’90s, where Mando-pop songs and complex dance sequences inch him closer to finding the one.

Throughout the film, flash mobs, modern dances and choreographies transport the viewer from scene to scene, as theatrical moving set pieces designed by art directors Joel Chang and Qin Shi Jie enhance the film's magical realism.

The film demonstrates how iPhone 16 Pro’s Camera Control feature can achieve complex shots that would otherwise be challenging even with professional equipment. The main character Wei’s solo performances, for instance, were captured in detail in 4K 120 fps for a cinematic Slo-mo effect.

Also read: Apple explores identity and social media in magical film for Chinese New Year (from 2024)

“iPhone is built for movement, especially for dance,” director Gracey said. “From the picture quality to the higher frame rates, all those things are there on the phone. Being able to access that in something that fits in your pocket is an incredibly powerful tool.” 

"When he’s doing these big, beautiful leaps that are incredibly balletic, to capture them at 120 frames in 4K resolution is just beautiful,” he continued.

The short film refreshingly captures analog technology and sounds of the past, bringing them to a modern age. The soundtrack, comprised mostly of techno sounds of Mando pop and ballads of the ’90s, is made relevant again for its timeless lyrics and sentiment using iPhone 16 Pro's Audio Mix capabilities. 

“Musical storytelling encompasses so many facets of music, picture and sound design,” said Gracey. “The incredible thing about iPhone 16 Pro is that you have access to all those things in one device.”

Through the film, Apple stays true to Chinese heritage while bringing it to a new time, reminding us that no matter how the world—and technology—changes, love remains a timeless force worth believing in.

The campaign will be distributed across broadcast, digital and social media platforms. A behind-the-scenes video (above) showcases how the production team created the film using the features of the iPhone 16 Pro.

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