Apple Shoots 19-Minute, Live-Action Film In Tokyo Entirely With iPhone 15 Pro
Image courtesy of Apple / TBWA\Media Arts Lab
Apple goes full speed on manga culture, teaming up with the acclaimed director Takashi Miike in an electrifying Shot on iPhone film set in Japan. This 19-minute live-action masterpiece, titled Midnight, breathes new life into a 1986 manga series by Osamu Tezuka, affectionately known as the Godfather of Manga. The entire project was captured using the iPhone 15 Pro, touting the device’s advanced capabilities in capturing the essence of Tokyo’s nocturnal landscape.
Based on the comics, the story follows a late-night taxi driver encountering a series of strange passengers. In Apple’s adaptation, the driver becomes entangled in the fate of Kaede, a female truck driver, as he helps her escape a relentless hitman.
Video screenshot via Apple
Midnight serves as a powerful showcase of the iPhone 15 Pro’s capabilities, particularly in low-light and cinematic filming. From capturing the vibrant streets of Tokyo to the dynamic action sequences, the film highlights the camera’s impressive stabilization and detail in challenging conditions.
Video screenshot via Apple
Additionally, the film pioneers the use of the iPhone’s LiDAR scanner for post-production, creating a 3D model of the iconic cab.
Video screenshot via Apple
Miike not only directs Midnight but also takes on a dual role, portraying Kaede’s father. The voice narration comes from Akio Otsuka, who previously voiced the character Black Jack in Tezuka’s animated series. The screenplay is penned by renowned writer Yusuke Watanabe, with the leading roles played by Kento Kaku as the taxi driver and Konatsu Kato as Kaede, while Yukiyoshi Ozawa portrays the antagonist. The short, helmed by Apple’s in-house advertising agency TBWA\Media Arts Lab Tokyo, integrates original manga strips by Tezuka for another layer of authenticity.
Video screenshot via Apple
Video screenshot via Apple
Miike himself shares his thoughts: “Mr Tezuka is something of a god among manga artists so it was an honor to take on the challenge of expressing his work using only iPhone. As we were shooting, I naturally began to challenge myself to think about how we could make a work unique to iPhone, beyond the usual approach to a film. I truly felt that the iPhone has the power to do things that a conventional movie camera can’t.”
Video screenshot via Apple
Taking the experience further, select taxis in Tokyo will screen the film and behind-the-scenes footage late at night.
The action-packed feature premiered on YouTube on March 6, with releases on Apple Japan’s website, Abema TV, and Apple TV following the day after. The campaign will also be supported through various media channels, including broadcasts, magazines, and social media.
With Midnight, Apple demonstrates the iPhone’s growing potential for professional filmmaking, while simultaneously paying homage to a beloved manga classic.
[via Apple, cover image courtesy of Apple / TBWA\Media Arts Lab]
