The typographic identity for Spike Lee’s movie BlacKkKlansman (2018) is based on ITC Pioneer. Released in 1970, the blocky 3-dimensional typeface soon after got selected for the communication of the Shaft blaxplotation movie (1971). This iconic choice was subsequently referenced in posters for the Wattstax concert (1972) and for Isaac “Black Moses” Hayes (1973).
Set in 1979, BlacKkKlansman picks up this period typeface, but shows it from a different angle, literally: In most applications, the tightly spaced letterforms are slanted by about 11degrees. Additionally, the colors are reversed: the body’s black and the shadow is white. Poster design by Gravillis Inc.