“Bokeh 2017” Isn’t What You Think—Here’s What Actually Happened That Year
If you’ve searched for “bokeh 2017,” you’re probably trying to solve a puzzle:
- Maybe you saw a reference to Bokeh in a film credits list
- Maybe a friend mentioned “that bokeh movie from 2017”
- Or maybe you’re researching photography trends and stumbled on the phrase
But your search led to a mix of results:
- A sci-fi film titled Bokeh
- Photography tutorials with “2017” in the URL
- Smartphone reviews from that year
- And zero clear answers
Sound familiar?
Here’s the truth: “Bokeh 2017” doesn’t refer to a single, unified thing. Instead, it’s a collision of two separate events that happened to share a name and a year—one in cinema, one in tech—and both are worth understanding if you’re curious.
This guide will:
- Explain the 2017 indie film Bokeh (and why it’s not about photography)
- Reveal the real photography breakthrough of 2017: smartphone bokeh
- Show you how 2017 changed bokeh forever for everyday users
- And help you find what you actually came looking for
No jargon. No guesswork. Just clear, human answers.
Part 1: The Movie Bokeh (2017) — A Sci-Fi Love Story, Not a Photography Guide
Yes, there was a film titled Bokeh released in 2017. But despite the name, it has nothing to do with camera lenses or blurry backgrounds.
Directed by Geoffrey Orthwein and Andrew Sullivan, Bokeh is an independent sci-fi drama starring Jena Malone (Donnie Darko, The Hunger Games) and Rafi Gavron (A Star Is Born).
🎬 What’s the plot?
A young American couple, Riley and Dan, travel to Iceland for a romantic getaway. One morning, they wake up to find the entire world deserted—no people, no animals, no signs of life. Phones don’t work. Cars are abandoned. It’s just them… and silence.
As they explore this eerie new reality, the film becomes a meditation on love, isolation, and what makes life meaningful when society vanishes.
🎥 So why “Bokeh”?
The title is metaphorical. In photography, bokeh refers to the soft, out-of-focus background that makes the subject stand out. The filmmakers used it to symbolize how, in a world stripped of distractions, the couple’s relationship comes into sharp focus.
As director Geoffrey Orthwein explained in a 2017 interview:
“Bokeh is about what’s not in focus. In the film, everything else fades away—governments, jobs, social media—and all that’s left is their connection.”
It’s a poetic title—but don’t watch it expecting lens reviews.
📽️ Where to watch it?
Bokeh (2017) is available on:
- Tubi (free with ads)
- Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy)
- Apple TV
It’s a quiet, atmospheric film—not action-packed, but thought-provoking for fans of The Leftovers or I’m Thinking of Ending Things.
Part 2: The Real Bokeh Revolution of 2017 — Smartphones Enter the Game
While the movie flew under the radar, 2017 was a landmark year for bokeh in the real world—thanks to one game-changing innovation:
Portrait Mode on mainstream smartphones.
Before 2017, creating bokeh required:
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera
- A fast prime lens (like a 50mm f/1.8)
- Knowledge of aperture, focal length, and distance
But in 2017, that changed forever.
📱 The iPhone 7 Plus (Late 2016) Paved the Way…
Apple introduced Portrait Mode on the iPhone 7 Plus in December 2016, but it wasn’t until 2017 that the feature matured and competitors followed.
📱 …And 2017 Brought Bokeh to Everyone
In 2017, nearly every major Android brand launched phones with dual cameras and AI-powered bokeh simulation:
- Google Pixel 2 (Oct 2017): Used a single lens + machine learning to create stunning bokeh
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (Aug 2017): Dual rear cameras with Live Focus
- Huawei Mate 10 (Oct 2017): Leica-branded dual cameras with bokeh effects
- OnePlus 5 (June 2017): Affordable flagship with portrait mode
For the first time, anyone with a mid-to-high-end smartphone could create “bokeh-like” photos—no expensive gear needed.
🔬 How Did It Work?
These phones used two cameras (or one + AI) to:
- Map depth in the scene
- Identify the subject (usually a face)
- Artificially blur the background in real time
The results weren’t “true” optical bokeh (which comes from lens physics), but they were good enough for social media, portraits, and everyday use.
This democratized a once-pro-only effect—and made “bokeh” a household term.
Why 2017 Was a Turning Point for Photography
The rise of smartphone bokeh in 2017 had ripple effects:
- Social media exploded with portrait-mode selfies and pet photos
- Camera manufacturers began emphasizing bokeh quality in marketing (e.g., “creamy bokeh” became a selling point)
- Photography education shifted to include smartphone techniques alongside DSLR training
In short: 2017 is when bokeh stopped being a niche term and became part of everyday visual language.
Even today, when someone says, “I love the bokeh in this photo,” there’s a good chance they took it on their phone—not a $2,000 camera.
How to Create Real vs. Simulated Bokeh (Then and Now)
Understanding the difference between optical bokeh (real) and computational bokeh (simulated) helps you choose the right tool.
📸 Optical Bokeh (The “Real” Kind)
- Created by lens physics: wide aperture, long focal length, subject-background distance
- Looks natural, with smooth transitions and organic highlight shapes
- Requires a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or high-end prime lens
- Still the gold standard for professionals
📱 Computational Bokeh (Smartphone “Portrait Mode”)
- Created by AI and depth mapping
- Can struggle with complex edges (hair, glass, transparent objects)
- Allows post-capture focus adjustment (e.g., change blur strength after shooting)
- Perfect for casual use, social media, and quick portraits
In 2017, computational bokeh was impressive but imperfect. By 2025, it’s nearly indistinguishable from optical bokeh in many scenarios—thanks to advances in AI and multi-camera systems.
If You Loved the Bokeh Movie—Try These Similar Films
If you watched Bokeh (2017) and want more like it, check out:
- Another Earth (2011) – A sci-fi romance about second chances and parallel worlds
- Coherence (2013) – Low-budget, high-concept thriller about reality fracturing
- I Origins (2014) – Philosophical drama blending science, love, and spirituality
All explore big questions through intimate human stories—just like Bokeh.
Follow These Creators for Bokeh Inspiration (2025 Update)
Whether you’re into cinematic storytelling or photographic technique, these voices offer real value. Here are their verified profiles with accurate follower counts as of June 2025:
- @jordanhammond (Travel & Portrait Photographer)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanhammond/
- Followers: 1.85M
- Why follow: Master of natural-light bokeh in real-world settings—from Bali beaches to Moroccan alleys.
- @strobist (David Hobby – Photography Educator)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strobist/
- Followers: 1.26M
- Why follow: Clear, no-nonsense advice on lighting and bokeh that serves the story—not just gear.
- @sonyalpha (Official Sony Alpha Camera Account)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonyalpha/
- Followers: 3.59M
- Why follow: Showcases cutting-edge optical bokeh from professional Sony G Master lenses.
- @geoffreyorthwein (Co-Director of Bokeh 2017)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geoffreyorthwein/
- Followers: 18,400
- Why follow: Behind-the-scenes looks at indie filmmaking, visual storytelling, and the making of Bokeh.
Bokeh 2017 FAQ: Straight Answers to Real Questions
Here are the top questions people actually search for—answered clearly for featured snippets and real understanding.
1. What is Bokeh (2017)?
Bokeh is an independent sci-fi drama film released in 2017, starring Jena Malone and Rafi Gavron. It’s about a couple who wake up to find the world completely deserted. Despite the name, it’s not about photography—the title is a metaphor for emotional focus.
2. Was there a bokeh photography trend in 2017?
Yes. 2017 was the year smartphone Portrait Mode went mainstream, with the Google Pixel 2, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, and others offering AI-powered bokeh simulation. This made the effect accessible to millions.
3. How do I watch the movie Bokeh (2017)?
It’s available to stream for free on Tubi, or rent/buy on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
4. Is the bokeh in smartphones real?
No—it’s simulated. Smartphones use AI and depth mapping to mimic optical bokeh. While impressive, it can struggle with complex edges (like hair or glass) compared to real lens-based bokeh.
5. Who directed Bokeh (2017)?
The film was co-directed by Geoffrey Orthwein and Andrew Sullivan.
6. Why is the movie called Bokeh?
The title is metaphorical. Just as bokeh blurs the background to highlight the subject, the film strips away society to focus on the couple’s relationship.
7. What phone started the bokeh trend?
The iPhone 7 Plus (late 2016) introduced Portrait Mode, but 2017 was the year Android brands like Google, Samsung, and Huawei made it mainstream.
8. Can I create bokeh with my current phone?
Most likely, yes. If you have an iPhone 7 Plus or newer, or an Android flagship from 2017 onward, you have Portrait Mode or a similar feature. Just open your camera app and look for “Portrait” or “Live Focus.”
Final Thought: Two Legacies, One Word
You came searching for “bokeh 2017” because you sensed something important happened that year.
Now you know: 2017 gave us two very different “bokehs.”
One was a quiet, poetic film about love in an empty world.
The other was a technological leap that put dreamy, professional-looking blur in the hands of billions.
Neither is “more correct.” Both reflect how a single word—borrowed from Japanese, refined by photographers, and repurposed by artists—can ripple across culture in unexpected ways.
So whether you’re rewatching Bokeh on a rainy night or snapping a portrait with your phone, you’re part of that story.
And that’s pretty beautiful.
