The availability of advanced camera capabilities on iPhones truly brings a surprising level of creativity amongst unorthodox filmmakers, inspiring them to skip the traditional, costly production of filmmaking.
Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh’s High Flying Bird probably is the latest from this trend, pushing the limits of iPhone being the new medium in filmmaking. Currently streaming on Netflix, Soderbergh's High Flying Bird once again proved that you don't need the most expensive pieces of equipments to produce high-caliber, full-length films.
Below is a short list of five top-rated Netflix films you won't believe shot on iPhone:
High Flying Bird (2019)
Shot on: iPhone 8
Currently streaming on Netflix, High Flying Bird is an American sports drama film that portrays the sour reality of NBA players and the politics (and drama) they're beholden to. High Flying Bird is the second film in a row by Soderbergh, starred by Zazie Beetz, Melvin Gregg, Sonja Sohn, Zachary Quinto, Glenn Fleshler, Jeryl Prescott, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley, Caleb McLaughlin, Bobbi Bordley, Kyle MacLachlan and Bill Duke.
Unsane (2018)
Shot on: iPhone 7 Plus
Another film shot entirely on iPhone from director Steven Soderbergh, Unsane is a psychological horror film that tells the story of a woman who is convinced she has a stalker and later questioned her own sanity after she was confined to a mental institution against her will.
Starring Claire Foy, Unsane was shot entirely on iPhone 7 Plus in 10 straight days.
Tangerine (2015)
Shot on: iPhone 5S
Tangerine is a 2015 award-winning comedy-drama film directed by Sean Baker that follows a transgender sex worker who discovers she has a cheating boyfriend. The film was shot entirely on iPhone 5S, earning it a sweet spot in film making history.
I Play With the Phrase Each Other (2014)
I Play With the Phrase Each Other is not your typical film. The film was built entirely on conversations and phone calls, creatively enhanced by the technical aspects of iPhone filmmaking.
How To: Watch YouTube, Netflix on Sticky, Floating Window While Keeping Other Apps Opened
I Play With the Phrase Each Other earned the viewing public's nod and won the Special Jury Prize at Slamdance in 2014.
Searching for Sugar Man (2012)
Shot on: iPhone 4S
Searching for Sugar Man is an Oscar award-winning documentary film that tells the story of two die-hard, South African fans of Rodriquez. Rodriguez was a Michigan-based artist whose music had never achieved success in the US but unbeknownst to him he was a huge star in South Africa. Sadly though probably because of the lack of fame, Rodriguez was rumored to be dead, inspiring the two Cape Town fans to embark on their quest to find out whether or not the rumored death holds water.
Searching for Sugar Man wasn't entirely shot on iPhone. It was only toward the end of the filming when director Malik Bendjelloul ran out of money and decided to use iPhone with the help of 8mm Vintage Camera app to finish the job.
What made these movies stand out was not the story itself but how they are made.
