The idea of making a movie about making movies isn’t new. But the latest Apple promo may have broken new ground. “The Comeback”—a 23-minute homecoming movie includes the making of two other movies: a Kung-fu actioner and a sci-fi flick. While the concept may sound confusing, Chinese director Zhang Meng deftly weaves together the three movies while showing off the virtues of the iPhone 13 Pro. The result is an exciting and touching celebration of the Chinese New Year. There are also moments of humor. For example, during a sandstorm on Mars, we see an iPhone buried in the sand. At the bottom of the frame a subtitle warns us that “Dust resistance may lessen through normal use.”

 

A three-minute “making of film” offers practical tips for filmmakers who don’t have the huge budget spent on “The Comeback.” Topics include shooting in the cinematic mode, using toy models, and turning ordinary things into props (a well-used Wok stands in as the surface of Mars). And then there’s a scrap-wood-with-duct-tape camera holder.

The editors of MobileMovieMaking have chosen “The Comeback” as the Mobile Movie of the Week.