5. The Seventh Seal – Jessica Seamans
I have to hand in my film fan credentials, as I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t seen Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal. If I did, then there’s a fairly good chance that Jessica Seamans would top the list once again with a simply brilliant poster for a classic film. The expressiveness and mood that emanates from this print is purely tangible. Her version of Max von Sydow is exceptional, with his unique eyes and glare being captured in a wonderfully skewed motif. Jessica’s work consistently beckons you to come closer, inviting and enticing you to fall into the artwork. I have no idea how she does it, but if she keeps putting prints out like this, then I’ll be happy.
4. Man With a Movie Camera – Piotr Jabłoński
Black Dragon Press have pushed out some of the most creative prints for films that are usually ignored by the pop culture print crowd. The fact they exist allows Bergman’s films to have many prints created for them, the above print for Un Chien Andalou, and now a print for the iconic and form setting Soviet film Man With a Movie Camera. This observant documentary is fascinating to watch as you see how two artists managed to create a language within cinema, and Jabłoński’s print manages to evoke the feelings of a man conquering the world with his camera, observing all. The sly eye in the lens could feel cute, but it’s an apt inclusion for how the camera is the eye that sees all.
3. A Quiet Place – Tomer Hanuka
Tomer Hanuka’s vision for this sci-fi horror film feels so obvious, such an ‘of course!’ moment that you can’t help but nod your head in appreciation. The way he depicts the topography of the world as sound lines helps reflect how every movement, every step, every breath is one that the family – weathered, worn, carrying their home on their backs – is one step closer to possible tragedy. The regular version of the print carries a doom laden sun in the sky, amplifying the tension that becomes as taut as a piano wire throughout the film. A great print should evoke the tone and feeling that the film conjures, and Hanuka’s work here does exactly that perfectly.
2. Mac and Me – Marc Schoenbach
Gah! Of course this print needed to be on the list. I’ve been a massively vocal fan of this much derided film for a long time, and one of my ‘grail’ prints was to see someone tackle Stewart Raffill’s film with the respect it deserves, and Marc Schoenbach did exactly that. The font! The VHS-esque design! The gentle look of being lost and confused on Mac’s face! The night sky that feels like it could go on forever! The ORION titling! Gah! Look, I know you’re all probably looking at this list and thinking, how can this be above so many other prints that deserve to be on here, but to be honest, this feels like it was created just for me. I’d have given it the prime spot if I’d lost my mind, but while I’m still a rational human being, that honour goes to…
1. The Handmaiden – Tula Lotay
Tula Lotay! What an artist. She impressed years ago with her Wonder Woman print, and followed that up with Personal Shopper, and now the one-two punch of Blood Simple and The Handmaiden confirms her status as one of the finest artists working today. The emotions she captures here – the ecstasy, the longing, the tenderness, the pure passion of two women in love – are so tangible, so immediate and real that you can’t help but wonder what personal love Tula drew upon to conjure such a masterful print. The choice of colours – the pink against the deep blue, with a hint of orange behind her – make the print shine completely. This is a print you’d give prime position in your house, funnelling guests towards to entice a conversation about Tula Lotay’s work and the film. This print makes me yearn for a Tampopo print from Tula Lotay. One can hope.
So these were my favourite prints of 2019. Let me know what your favourite prints of the year were.
2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 100 Best Mondo Posters
