Apple this afternoon shared a short film created by French director Michel Gondry, who is known for indie movies like The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep. The film is available on Apple's French site and on its UK and French YouTube channels.

Called Détour, the 11 minute short was captured entirely on an iPhone and funded by Apple. It features the story of a tricycle that falls off of a car as a family heads out on vacation and its journey to find its owner, a little girl. On its travels, the tricycle encounters a wide range of colorful characters and experiences some emotional moments before finding its happy ending.


Détour is accompanied by six additional short tutorial videos that give a behind the scenes look at the filming and offer up some video capturing tips for iPhone users. Topics covered include "A cinematic touch," "Time-lapse," "Stop motion," "Slo-mo," "Night scenes," and "Perspective tricks."




Apple plans to screen Détour at the Marché Saint-Germain Apple Store in Paris on June 30. Michel Gondry will also be present to share details on the making of the film and to take about the future of cinema.

Top Rated Comments

Floris Avatar
110 months ago
Just don't forget please:

Additional hardware and software used.

And that matters, besides creativity, a team of people to help out and a budget to do amazing creative things to create a fun video. Tens of thousands of equipment for additional steady cam and camera lenses etc, makes it kinda out of reach to everybody else to achieve the same.

I am looking forward to the days where the disclaimer actually says: Completely filmed with, and shot with default Apple products and software, no additional hardware or third party software used.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
filmantopia Avatar
110 months ago
It's not the camera, but the minds behind the camera.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nick.haley Avatar
110 months ago
Huh? No. Everything in that shoot can be accomplished for cheap, or done D.I.Y.. That world has changed. Yes he chose actual pro rental gear he's used to using, but about the priciest thing you couldn't improvise was the camera stabilizer, and those are being made for only $200-300 for iPhone & GoPro. I didn't see any extra camera lens attachments. Everything else - tripod, phone brackets & attachment methods, etc. - all are easily reproduced for cheap or free. It's being done all the time now. Even the light-shielding pro-level sunlight blocking flags and canvas attached to pro camera stands can be - and is on a regular basis - reproduced. I used cardboard or a $40 reflector the other day. Other than that, grab a few friends to help. My friends do this stuff all the time and get paid for it. What you see onscreen is vision and technique.
I'm inclined to agree -- and would argue that Gondry's style can sometimes fit into the playful / rough and ready (but don't be fooled it can be much harder to achieve than it looks!)...

Watch the BTS clip 'A Cinematic Touch'... they haven't used an OSMO etc...

That 'steadicam' in the (Tour De France? lol) shot of the bike being cheered on down the hill? That almost looks handmade out of dowling / piping, and a plastic spring-grip used as counterbalance... so save for the actual handgrip which you also see in the bike wheel shot (17-18")... it looks like a cheap set up.
(have noticed a lens attachment here, noga arm...) but still we are not talking about BUCKETS of cash.

I enjoyed the crudity of just using wire and string ... the obvious nature of the plastic bag attaching itself to the bike to get its on its journey.

Gondry may have crew, but at least some of the tech seems pretty low tech and could be imitated by people starting out. Granted though it's 'cute' here and in a different set up could seem naff or corny.


UPDATE: It's a twig. They used a twig!


Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
caskin8a Avatar
110 months ago
I was looking forward to it, but ultimately underwhelmed here. Gonna get hate for posting this but especially next to the Samsung comparison:
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Morris Avatar
110 months ago
Michel Gondry is also responsible for one of the weirdest and most impressive music videos of all time, Aphex Twin's Come To Daddy.
[MEDIA=dailymotion]xodid[/MEDIA]
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zapnyc Avatar
110 months ago
Just don't forget please:

Additional hardware and software used.
... Tens of thousands of equipment for additional steady cam and camera lenses etc, makes it kinda out of reach to everybody else to achieve the same.


Huh? No. Everything in that shoot can be accomplished for cheap, or done D.I.Y.. That world has changed. Yes he chose actual pro rental gear he's used to using, but about the priciest thing you couldn't improvise was the camera stabilizer, and those are being made for only $200-300 for iPhone & GoPro. I didn't see any extra camera lens attachments. Everything else - tripod, phone brackets & attachment methods, etc. - all are easily reproduced for cheap or free. It's being done all the time now. Even the light-shielding pro-level sunlight blocking flags and canvas attached to pro camera stands can be - and is on a regular basis - reproduced. I used cardboard or a $40 reflector the other day. Other than that, grab a few friends to help. My friends do this stuff all the time and get paid for it. What you see onscreen is vision and technique.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...