The best mobile moviemakers are finding new ways to tell stories.  A recent example is Nelson Pena’s iPhone short mobile documentary built around a criminal’s account of an armed robbery.

In “Have You Ever Robbed Someone At Gunpoint?”  the dialogue is presented in the form of subtitles. Paradoxically, being forced to read the protagonist’s account makes it more chilling than if we heard his voice. (Caution: The robber’s language would earn the video an “R” rating.)

As with old-time silent movies, the lack of spoken language allows the audience to focus on the robber’s subtle gestures and on accompanying clips of New York City.

A selection in the 2015 International Mobil Film Festival, this movie, is an episode in Pena’s 10-part documentary series “You Are Not  Famous.”  Here’s a trailer for the series:

 

You can find more of Nelson Pena’s work at his YouTube Channel.