Directed by Gary Hustwit, and released in 2007, Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface, the legendary Helvetica, as part of a bigger picture as to how type affects our culture. It also delves into the history of the sans serif typeface, which was developed in 1957 by Swiss graphic designer Max Miedinger.
The filmmaker of Helvetica wanted to feature Helvetica's stark attractiveness and ubiquity, and also reveal the people that create and obsess over typefaces. "It's a very thin line between simple and clean and powerful, and simple and clean and boring," says David Carson, discussing in the film, the pros and cons of the famed font.
The documentary was shown at over 200 film festivals, museums, design conferences, and theaters worldwide. It is available on DVD.