Helvetica
United Kingdom
2007
80 Min
Color
1.85:1
English
Synopsis
In 2005 a number of provocative, award-winning ads appeared that touted the Helvetica font; Gary Hustwit explores the subject protractedly with his feature-length essay film Helvetica. The documentary, produced in 2007 (and thus commemorating the typeface’s 50th anniversary) uses the omnipresent font as a lens, through which it examines contemporary visual culture and how typeface per se is used, aesthetically, spatially, and culturally, to impart shape and character to urban environments. Hustwit then segues into a discussion with a number of acclaimed designers about their work, their creative visions and processes and the aesthetic reasoning behind various decisions regarding font. Hustwit interviews over 20 design experts in the film, including Michael C. Place, Paula Scher, Matthew Carter and David Carson.
Director
Gary Hustwit
Gary Hustwit is an independent filmmaker based in New York and London. He has produced and directed a number of documentaries including the 2007 film Helvetica.
A former independent publisher and Vice President of Salon.com, he is the founder, along with Sean Anderson, of Plexifilm, an independent DVD label and film production company. Hustwit is best known for his Design Trilogy which is composed of the documentaries Helvetica, Objectified and Urbanized. The trilogy deals with aspects of graphic design, typography, industrial design, architecture and urban planning. He said in an interview in Dwell magazine: “I like the idea of taking a closer look at the things we take for granted and changing the way people think about them, whether it’s type or objects or whatever”.
He was nominated for the 2008 Independent Spirit “Truer Than Fiction” Award for Helvetica. —Wikipedia
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Andre Rehal
28May12
A little dry at times but it was an interesting doc about a font that's everywhere.
Tony Smith
2Feb12
I liked Objectified, but a doco on font is so hipster it's almost sickening. I'm sure it'll be loved by some of the people on here though.
tiagovitoria likes this
GaffordKINO
7Jul11
The most recognizable font since the late 50s made the subject of an 80 minute documentary? Can you say, "Nerdgasm?" Perfect for anyone interested in graphic design/typography history.
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Gary Hustwit's "Urbanized"
By David Hudson on October 28, 2011
Completing the trilogy begun with Helvetica and Objectified, Hustwit goes macro.
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Untitled
By Elvia Francis on July 2, 2009
The film explores typography, graphic design and global visual culture. Also, it shows us the impact that a type-face can have on our every day lives.
I saw this documentary on PBS’ “Independent… read review
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