Helvetica: The Movie

I finished out my stay in Austin yesterday with a slightly different rendition of what was, in many ways, the overriding SXSW Interactive theme: an idea crazy enough that it just might work. This time we were talking not about music-making dot-matrix printers or the next mind-blowing Web app but about a feature-length documentary on. . . a typeface.

Helvetica, which had its world premiere at the conference, presents the life story of something all of us encounter on a daily (or even hourly) basis. Created in 1957 by the Swiss modernist designer Max Miedinger as a response to the cluttered typography and design of the postwar era, Helvetica's clean neutrality and balanced use of the empty space surrounding letters quickly made it a go-to font for public signage, advertising, corporate logos and works of modernist design around the world. When it was licensed as a default font on every new Macintosh (itself a tool that revolutionized the design field), its position as the world's most ubiquitous typeface was solidified. In fact, saving any custom browser tweaks, you're looking at Helvetica right now on this blog (as well as the majority of all other sans-serif text on the Web).

An interesting story, to be sure, but worthy of an entire 80-minute documentary? Really? Yes.

Filmmaker Gary Hustwitt revels in his fascination with something so commonplace that it blends almost entirely into a context-less background, becoming a detective of sorts to unveil the myriad everyday places Helvetica is hiding (“It's a disease,” Hustwitt said of his obsessive font-spotting). And he's clearly not alone. He has assembled a laundry list of heavy hitters in the graphic-design world to wax poetic on Helvetica—and we're talking extremely poetic: One describes experiencing Helvetica as “like crawling through the desert, having your mouth full of dust and dirt, and suddenly being presented with a cold, clean glass of water”; another accuses its corporate sameness of playing a role in the Vietnam War. And they're only sort of joking. The film treats all of this with earnestness but without forgetting the fun, revealing something I never assumed most graphic designers would have: great senses of humor.

Helvetica begins its international screening tour this month. —John Mahoney

Comments

[Jim Kidwell]

In honor of the SXSW screening, we're giving away one of the limited edition fine art Helvetica prints. All that you've gotta do to enter is write a font-related haiku. Sound like fun?

http://blog.extensis.com/?p=348

[Kevin Ricche]

That contest is hilarious!

[brainlord]

and I thought I was the only that said things like, "look its University Roman! I haven't seen University Roman in years!"

[Austin Texas Web Site Design Expert]

Great documentary! Very Interesting movie. I live here in Austin Texas and I love to see great documentaries come throw the SXSW Screening

[ohio state store]

SXSW is one of the greatest times of the year! It rocks

[carpet cleaners rentals]

and I thought I was the only that said things like, "look its University Roman! I haven't seen University Roman in years!"

[chi hairdryer]

There is nothing wrong with Helvetica.

[commercial coffee makers]

I cant believe they made a movie about this. Are you kidding me? Some people have a lot of time on their hands...They probably got paid handsomely for this....lol

[commercial espresso makers]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So am sure there was an audience for this movie, somewhere. But am with you, I dont think I could go watch soemthing like this..

[contacts for less]

No doubt you guys. You are spot on. I wonder how much they spent to make this film. Has anyone seen it?

[emergency survival kit]

I am going to netflix it right now and see if it comes up....lol

[hon file cabinets]

Bet you it dont come up...Just a hunch...lol

[super solano hair dryer]

Come on! Why are you people wasting your time with this trival stuff. The movie was probably a nothing and you guys are just giving credit where it does not deserve to be. Move on...

[wireless barcode scanner]

Well I looked for it and found it on netflix...Has a rating of 3 1/2 stars too...

[Boracay Beach Resort]

It is the first time that I have heard of this movie. Maybe a little research about this film is needed.

[SEO Los Angeles]

It is my first time hearing about this movie, I think I will probably watch this movie when I have the time.

[House Plans]

Its a first for me hearing of this movie but I think that it still interesting enough to watch.

[Boracay Hotel Package]

A new movie means new reviews online better start reading!!!!!

[motorcycle communications accessories]

Seems like an interesting movie. Thx for the heads up.

[Translation Los Angeles]

I have never heard of this movie, I am going to order it from the video store.

[divx movies]

Same Here I have also never heard about this film. Any ways..Why don't you check my movie site..I am sure you will get this film..

[air jordans]

Human error, mostly in this with the real feeling when too, think, and in this with head again when too emotional.

[Storage Shed plans]

I not really familiar with this movie, but this caught my attention so better to check it out if it's really worth the time and their effort for making such documentary.

[Burberry Scarf]

Thanks for this great Information.
I like it most.Keep it up give more latest post.

[Bob]

Is this really true, I can't believe there's a movie about this.