Latest News

Typeface now available on iTunes!

July 23, 2010

Typeface is now available for pre-order on iTunes, before official release on July 27th. The film will also soon be available on Amazon VOD and Netflix. Please help us by adding the film to your queue, and don't forget to rate and review the film!

Please note that the Kartemquin Store is still the only place from which you can order the limited edition DVD featuring a poster designed by Bill Moran of Hamilton Wood Type Museum.

Here's a recent review of the film in advance of it's first screening in Yorkshire, England on July 29th in The Drum:

"Typeface, a production by Kartemquin Films, shows the reality of the digital age as it challenges master craftsmen in their environment. The film opens up a very real life portrayal of the effects, changes and fight for survival in an age of throw-away creativity.

From the onset, it shows a passion for creative skills, showcasing a place where international artists and retired craftsmen remain true to their heritage, but for how long and what can be lost? The historical and contemporary approaches in rural and urban America, combined with passion and logic makes for a fascinating film."

Labor Day PBS broadcast for Daniel Burnham film

July 22, 2010

Make No Little Plans: Daniel Burnham and the American City will have it's PBS broadcast premiere on Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2010. Kartemquin was a chief production/editing consultant on the project, which was produced by Archimedia Workshop.

Chicago Humanities Festival to host sneak preview of A Good Man

July 21, 2010

Mark your calendars for November 14 2010, when the Chicago Humanities Festival will host the first public preview of A Good Man. Kartemquin's upcoming 2011 film is about choreographer Bill T Jones' creation of Fondly do we hope... Fervently do we pray for performance at the 2009 Ravinia Festival. The film is a co-production with Media Process Group, ITVS, Americans Masters and Ravinia.

A Good Man Co-Director Gordon Quinn and Janet Wong, Associate Artistic Director of the  Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company are already confirmed to attend for post-screening discussion. Tickets are available from the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Watch the trailer for A Good Man and editor David E. Simpson discussing editing the film.

Can 21st Century kids relate to a story about WWII and trauma?

July 20, 2010

The answer is yes, as evidenced by last week's screening of Prisoner of Her Past for Northwestern University's "Cherubs" group. Read about how this tale of late-onset post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the Holocaust struck an unexpected chord and led to a communal story-sharing session in Howard Reich's latest blog: "Galvanized by Students."

Typeface's Australian premiere is SOLD OUT!

July 16, 2010

The Australian premiere of Typeface on July 24th in Melbourne is sold out. However, a second screening has been added by the organizers at 9:30pm that same day. Both screenings are presented by Letterbox as part of Character 6 and the 2010 State of Design Festival. The first screening will feature a conversation on the worldwide movement in reviving craft in the field of design featuring Carolyn Fraser (Idlewild Press) and David Lancashire (Lancashire Design), but the second will be a showing of the film only. Get tickets now!

The DVD of Typeface was also released on Amazon today. You can help support the film by recommending the film and writing reviews! Please note that the limited edition DVD featuring a special poster from Bill Moran of the Hamilton Wood Type Musuem is still currently only exclusively available from the Kartemquin store.

Prisoner of Her Past is now on twitter

July 15, 2010

Fans of Kartemquin's award-winning documentary Prisoner Of Her Past can now follow the latest updates on the film and the issues it raises via its brand new Twitter Account: @prisonerofpast. Even if you don't have a Twitter account, you can see the updates by visiting http://twitter.com/prisonerofpast.

The Twitter account accompanies the film's blog, which was recently launched and already features some wonderful entries by Producer/Subject Howard Reich, including this report on a recent screening at the Tivoli Theater hosted by the After Hours Film Society.

Tell us what you think about Kartemquin!

July 14, 2010

Visitors to Kartemquin.com will now be able to comment on all of our films, products, events and news stories. Please feel free to let us know about the impact of watching Hoop Dreams or Home for Life for the first time, the admiring looks you get when wearing the Kartemquin hoodie, and why you can't wait to attend the American Arab Fundraiser!

The comments are open for all visitors who are logged in, and even those aren't (though those will have to provide us with an email and be subject to moderation). Users who register will also be able to see their order history from the store.

This new comment feature is just one of a number of new developments at www.Kartemquin.com we'll be introducing over the next few months now that we're on drupal, and in advance of an upcoming snazzy redesign. All the new features will aim at making the site more engaging, interactive and filled with the things you want to see. Stay tuned, and if you have suggestions - we definitely want to hear them - please email webmaster@kartemquin.com.

Follow the Prisoner of Her Past filmmaker blog

July 12, 2010

The creative team behind Kartemquin's Prisoner of Her Past have launched a new blog to document their progress as they prepare to take the film "wherever there’s a screen, an audience and, if possible, a popcorn machine." Read Chicago Tribune journalist and Prisoner of Her Past subject/producer Howard Reich's opening post: "The Film Takes Flight."

Subscribe to the blog to stay tuned to all the film's news as it travels the world over the coming months, with screenings already confirmed in Greece, Czech Republic, Texas and Illinois, and with many more in the works that we can't tell you about just yet!

World Premiere of clips from American Arab to screen at August 5th fundraiser

July 2, 2010

Director Usama Alshaibi will premiere exclusive clips from his in-progress Kartemquin documentary American Arab at a fundraising party for the film in Chicago on August 5th at the Stan Mansion. The event will also feature music by Black Bear Combo, Middle Eastern Food, a Cash Bar (with 1 free drink on entry), Raffle, Belly Dancing, and Henna Tattoos. Tickets are available now and cost $40 in advance, $50 on the door.

American Arab questions what it means to be an Arab living in America today by telling Usama's own story and that of others, sparking a frank conversation about the identity of, and perceptions about, Arab-Americans. Seamlessly weaving historical footage, animation, as well as real-life scenes of people living as Arabs in the U.S., the film will put a human face on the vague complexities of racism in post-9/11 America.

If you are unable to attend but would like to support the film, click here to donate.

Typeface and idsgn spread a little letterpress love!

July 2, 2010

In conjunction with the popular design blog idsgn, Typeface (@typefacefilm) launched a 24 hour twitter competition yesterday aimed at spreading the love for letterpress. idsgn sent out a call for fans to tweet them back with a message stating 'Why I love letterpress' with the hashtag #iloveletterpress. The prize for the best response: a limited edition Typeface DVD!

The were some ingenious and heartfelt responses, and it was very difficult to pick a winner... but since we had to pick someone, we chose this pithy tweet for its humor and understanding of the craft:

@Marc_FIMP: #iloveletterpress because it puts real meat on the letters' bones.

Here's a selection of some of our other favorites:

@lost_found_blog #iloveletterpress b/c it makes us appreciate typography in its raw form- we often forget that as we type away on keyboards everyday.

@armina_79: #iloveletterpress because it is the right way to learn typography

@dcgglass: @idsgn #iloveletterpress bc it's so rich in history and uses all the senses: touch the type, smell the ink, hear the press,...

@ sumitpaul  #iloveletterpress because of the textures and the rich colors. Also no two letterpress prints are ever the same, they're one of a kind!

@the_junction: #iloveletterpress because it caries more meaning. You know whoever made it cared enough to kern every letter.

@alxcooper: #Iloveletterpress because... it takes too long, is bloody frustrating but we wouldn't have it any other way!

@SolvesDad: #Iloveletterpress because it puts energy on the page and makes love jump off into readers' eyes

@johnfoley: #iloveletterpress because it’s fundamentally impossible for it to be unimpressive.

@iglooletterpres #iloveletterpress because I get to use my grandad's press. The process reminds me of working with him.

You can find more entries on this trendistic chart. Thanks to all who entered and especially to idsgn!

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