Apple has released its eighth annual Chinese New Year film, a musical journey through 1990s China that explores the complexities of dating culture and traditional expectations, all captured on the iPhone 16 Pro.
"I Made a Mixtape for You," directed by Michael Gracey of "The Greatest Showman" fame, brings together an all-star creative team:
- Oscar-winning cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt
- Choreographer Ashley Wallen
- Shanghai-based screenwriter Wu Jue Ren
The project highlights how the iPhone 16 Pro's advanced technology — capturing 4K resolution at 120 frames per second — helps create cinematic moments, particularly in its dynamic dance sequences.
In a video interview, Gracey shared how musical storytelling encompasses so many facets of music, picture, and sound design:
“The incredible thing about iPhone 16 Pro is that you have access to all those things in one device.”
The film is set to resonate with audiences through its nostalgic use of Mandopop hits and a unique '90s-era perspective.
It also showcases Apple’s ongoing effort to blend cultural storytelling with cutting-edge technology, continuing its tradition of celebrating the Chinese New Year.
The film will also be part of Apple’s larger campaign to highlight the iPhone 16 Pro's creative power. The tech giant is expected to share additional content on how consumers are using their new iPhones to create films and other projects.
A Blast from the Past
Apple’s latest short film opens with a Chinese family gathered around the dinner table, their voices rising in the familiar hum of a lively family meal.
In typical Asian fashion, the older relatives eagerly ask Wei, a young Chinese man, whether he has a girlfriend yet, with one even teasing, “Grandma’s waiting for grandchildren.”
Wei, undeterred, turns on his phone and proudly shows his lock screen — a picture of an anime girl, declaring her to be his girlfriend.
“Don’t listen to his nonsense,” his mother interjects. A relative chimes in, commenting that with all the dating apps these days, the younger generation has endless options at their fingertips.
Wei protests, explaining that the adults only see things through their own limited perspective. His relatives, however, insist that “finding someone isn’t that complicated.”
One relative reminisces, “One mixtape was all it took” for Wei’s parents to get together.
Wei, rolling his eyes, counters, “That was the ’90s, not now,” before excusing himself to his bedroom.
Once there, Wei checks his phone, realizing he’s been ghosted by a girl he’d been talking to. He then pulls out an old mixtape — the one his father had made for his mother. As he inserts it into the cassette player, the music begins, only for the sound to cut out into static.
Suddenly, Wei is transported back to the 90s, finding himself in a disco, surrounded by people dancing in perfect unison.
He stumbles out into the street, where the dancing continues, and catches sight of a young woman around his age, out with her friends.
She complains about her parents pressuring her to bring home a boyfriend for the New Year or risk being set up on blind dates.
She notices Wei and approaches, asking for some change to make a phone call. Confused, Wei doesn’t understand the request and asks her if what he’s just witnessed was a flash mob, leaving the girl puzzled when he mentions it.
The young woman flirts with Wei, and the scene shifts as they walk down the street, away from the club. She then invites him to her home to meet her family.
There, the conversation mirrors the one from Wei’s family earlier, with her parents pressuring her to find a boyfriend, and Wei’s mother responding in kind — “It’s not that easy to find someone.”
Later, as Wei and the young woman walk outside, she thanks him for playing along. “My family’s the same,” Wei says.
Before parting ways, she leaves her phone number with him, though Wei hesitates, saying he may not call her. For a moment, the girl’s smile fades, but then she cheerfully assures him that she’s just happy they met.
As Wei runs after her, the music starts again. We then see the two on various dates — skating, watching movies, riding a train, and even cooking dinner together.
Suddenly, Wei is yanked into the darkness, pulled away from the young woman as the mixtape stops playing. He checks the tape, only to find it ruined.
Downstairs, Wei finds his family, where he watches his parents slow-dancing to the very song he’d been listening to. As he opens his clenched fist, he finds a phone number written on his hand.
The film cuts to the Apple logo as the end credits roll.
Apple previously launched another heartwarming campaign that featured a father with hearing loss. The short film highlighted the groundbreaking Hearing Aid feature on the AirPods Pro 2.
