Helvetica

"Typography, Graphic Design and Global Visual Culture"

2007 1h 20m EN

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 182

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

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.

“Typography, Graphic Design and Global Visual Culture”

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Where to watch · US

Criterion ChannelSubscription

Cast

Michael Bierut
Himself
Neville Brody
Himself
David Carson
Himself
Manfred Schulz
Himself
Massimo Vignelli
Himself
Rick Poynor
Himself
Wim Crouwel
Himself
Matthew Carter
Himself

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Gary Hustwit
Languages: English, German
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

80 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 19 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, German.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Part of the "Design Trilogy" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Shelby Siegel shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Michael Bierut and Neville Brody and David Carson carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Typography, Graphic Design and Global Visual Culture".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0847817 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Gary Hustwit directs. Shelby Siegel cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English, German.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

180 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Released 19 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, German.
4Part of the "Design Trilogy" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
5Editor Shelby Siegel shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Michael Bierut and Neville Brody and David Carson carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Typography, Graphic Design and Global Visual Culture".
8IMDB entry: tt0847817 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Editing: Shelby Siegel
Runtime: 80 min · 1h 20m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): NR
IMDB: Helvetica (2007)

Part of

Design Trilogy

The Design Trilogy is the collective name of a series of three documentary films about design directed by film director Gary Hustwit.

Also by

Gary Hustwit

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Sheldon Nylander2019-09-02
★ 8/10
"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.

Production companies