Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which celebrated 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. Helvetica encompasses the worlds of design, advertising, psychology, and communication, and invites us to take a second look at the thousands of words we see every day. The film was shot in high-definition on location in the United States, England, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France and Belgium. Interviewees in Helvetica include some of the most illustrious and innovative names in the design world, including Erik Spiekermann, Matthew Carter, Massimo Vignelli, Wim Crouwel, Hermann Zapf, Neville Brody, Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Bierut, David Carson, Paula Scher, Jonathan Hoefler, Tobias Frere-Jones, Experimental Jetset, Michael C. Place, Norm, Alfred Hoffmann, Mike Parker, Bruno Steinert, Otmar Hoefer, Leslie Savan, Rick Poynor, and Lars Muller.
The 5th Color would like to express its appreciation to Behrouz Hariri and Ali Afsarpoor for their collaborations with this project.
Screenings will take place according to the following schedule:
Iranian Artists’ Forum - November 12, 2008 (17.00)
Shariati Technical Faculty- November 18, 2008 (11.00)
Department of Art and Architecture, Azad University - November 26, 2008 (10.00)
More about Helvetica: www.helveticafilm.com
Via 5thColor.com www.5thcolor.com/events/helvetica-tehran.html