The subtle animation of dissolving letterforms symbolizes coastal erosion, a consequence of rising temperatures.
“Newtok” is a new documentary about a Yup’ik village on the western outskirts of Alaska being displaced by climate change. The film follows the community over a period of five years as they weigh the prospect of relocating and abandoning their traditional lands.
Pentagram worked with directors Michael Kirby Smith and Andrew Burton to develop the title sequence––a simple and subtle animation of dissolving letterforms symbolizing the coastal erosion, a consequence of rising temperatures. The title metaphorically melts over footage of a young boy whose intense joyful dance is at odds with the impending dislocation of his family and friends. The typography is set in a customized version of Yport (from Luzi Type).
The film will have its world premiere at Doc NYC in November 2021 and is available to stream online.
