7.2
Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2007) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. The film is an exploration of urban spaces in major cities and the type that inhabits them, and a fluid discussion with renowned designers about their work, the creative process, and the choices and aesthetics behind their use of type.
Michael Bierut
Himself
Neville Brody
Himself
David Carson
Himself
Manfred Schulz
Himself
Massimo Vignelli
Himself
Rick Poynor
Himself
Wim Crouwel
Himself
Matthew Carter
Himself
Alfred Hoffmann
Himself
Mike Parker
Himself
Otmar Hoefer
Himself
Bruno Steinert
Himself
Hermann Zapf
Himself
Leslie Savan
Herself
Tobias Frere-Jones
Himself
Jonathan Hoefler
Himself
Erik Spiekermann
Himself
Lars Müller
Himself
Paula Scher
Herself
Stefan Sagmeister
Himself
Erwin Brinkers
Himself
Marieke Stolk
Herself
Danny van den Dungen
Himself
Michael C. Place
Himself
Manuel Krebs
Himself
Dimitri Bruni
Himself
Director
Gary Hustwit
September 2, 2019
8
"Helvetica" is a surprisingly interesting documentary about the creation and influence of a font. Yes, a font. Yet, the story behind it is more interesting than you might believe, not to mention the influence it's had since its creation, both by its design and by the creation of an anti-Helvetica faction that rebels against its button-down and now traditional design. The influence of that rebellion alone is actually quite interesting, and as you watch this film you realize the design and the work that's gone on behind the scenes for things that we see every day and likely take for granted. Afterall, someone had to invent it at some point (like I've always said, the first person who figured out that you could drink cows' milk had to have been really weird). Worth a look, both for graphic design nerds as well as those simply curious about what's really behind the scenes of everyday things.