Apple’s new Shot on iPhone film celebrates Chinese Gen Z’s resilience

China – In celebration of the Lunar New Year, Apple's seventh annual Shot on iPhone film Little Garlic, takes a poignant look at the insecurities Gen Z face in China, transcending cultural boundaries. Directed by Hollywood’s Marc Webb and featuring Chinese star Fan Wei, the 15-minute short follows the transformative journey of a young girl, Wei, grappling with identity and societal pressures, cleverly using her shape-shifting abilities to avoid her true appearance. Her nose, which her grandfather calls ‘Little Garlic’, is slightly larger than those of the people around her.

Little Garlic not only marks the Year of the Dragon, but resonates globally, addressing the universal challenges faced by the younger generation in an era dominated by social media. Wei faces anxiety and lack of confidence as she sees her peers rejecting those who don’t look like them, who don’t present a perfect physique on social media and who fail in the corporate world.

Crafted by TBWAMedia Arts Lab Shanghai, the film uses the capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, employing 5x optical zoom, Action mode and Cinematic mode. The tech giant’s commitment to storytelling is emphasised with an accompanying behind-the-scenes video showcasing the film’s creation.

In Emerging Youth: China, we previously analysed how Gen Z consumers in China are struggling with high unemployment rates, doomerism and the pressures of social media and beauty standards.