Petra’s Lasso: First impressions of a Mexican short shot with an iPhone 16
A short film that breaks technological and narrative barriers with a legendary flair.
When we think of the mix between video games and cinema, we tend to imagine adaptations of well-known franchises rather than original works. And when we hear that a movie or short film was shot with a smartphone, it is common to think of big-budget productions, such as ’28 Years Later,’ or experimental music videos. This time, however, it all comes together south of the border in Mexico, where local filmmaking talent, a video game studio in Guadalajara, and iPhones come together to bring to life a story about charras, Mexican legends, and video games.
El Lazo de Petra (or Petra’s Lasso in English) tells the story that a grandmother tells her granddaughter: how Petra, the best charra ever, faced mythical creatures of Mexican folklore, from chaneques and La Llorona to El Coco. The narrative combines live-action scenes with pixel art animated segments, representations born from the imagination of the little girl, a video game fan.
Gigi Saul’s direction manages to capture two seemingly opposing concepts. Although the short film is brief, it maintains a fluid and dynamic rhythm. The nods to the gamer world not only enrich the story but also manage to unite past and present naturally.
The use of technology, from smartphones to pixel art
One of the most outstanding elements is the use of the iPhone 16 for filming. Although at the end of the short film it is made clear that there were adjustments in color and post-production, the image quality is remarkable, especially in night scenes, where normally capturing in low light represents a great challenge. Indoor and outdoor shots take advantage of the device’s portability, allowing for greater creative freedom in shooting.
On the other hand, the pixel art animation is simply brilliant. Behind it is Halberd Studios, creators of the acclaimed 9 Years of Shadows and the upcoming Mariachi Legends. Their aesthetic vision not only enriches the narrative but also makes you feel like you’re watching fragments of a video game you want to play.
Petra’s Lasso is now available on Apple Mexico’s official YouTube channel.
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