The printing press lives again in Erin Beckloff/ Andrew P. Quinn's charming, thoughtful and informative documentary, PRESSING ON: THE LETTERPRESS FILM

"Why hasn't letterpress died? It's a good question, but I don't have an answer for it," notes one interviewee early on a propos the subject of the new documentary, PRESSING ON: THE LETTERPRESS FILM. The form of printing from the time of Gutenberg through the 20th century -- until offset printing mostly took its place (only to find itself being replaced in the 21st century via the computer and the internet) -- letterpress was and is something special.

TrustMovies' interest in this form of printing began early in his career, when he worked during the late 1960s for Prentice-Hall Publishing in New Jersey, where he wrote and designed advertising brochures and interacted with printers as the brochures came to completion.

Even then, letterpress was on the wane, yet it was always something of a surprise and a joy to be able to feel that extra dimension of raised ink on paper rather than only being able to see it, as with offset printing, where the ink is absorbed into the paper. Now, I fully understand if most laymen who have had no experience in or connection with the printing industry might imagine that they would not be interested in this new documentary.

Well, wait a minute. As directed, written and co-produced by Erin Beckloff and Andrew P. Quinn, shown above with Ms Beckloff on the right, the documentary is absolutely interesting enough -- from angles historical, artistic and human -- to fully engage, amuse and move any intelligent fan of documentary films. You may come into the movie wondering why, but you'll leave it with renewed appreciation for printing art and the folk who make it.

The movie begins with a little nostalgia and history before introducing us to a raft of intelligent, well-spoken, often funny and always cogent interviewees who, together, give us quite an education on the printing process(es). Chief among these is a wonderful fellow named Dave Churchman (above), whose words are well worth hearing and mulling over. (If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Churchman has also, during the course of his life, collected over 2,000 complete metal typefaces.)

By the time we've met and spent some time with the adorable Iowa couple who collects printing presses (above), the Illinois retiree who opened up a Museum of Printing, and a number of other fascinating and fun folk, we're more than hooked. Watching that Iowa couple move a mammoth printing press out of a basement with the help of a tow truck and driver provides more suspense than a number of would-be thrillers I've seen.

Beautifully photographed -- crisp, clean, colorful and composed -- by Joseph Vella, above -- the documentary is a consistent pleasure to view. And when, some time along the way, one of our interviewees suddenly dies, and we see and hear from his son, below, the scene is particularly  moving. We feel the loss.

As we watch Hatch Show prints come off a letterpress, below, and see its owner 's enthusiasm, it's easy to feel just as enthused, for we realize that these people are often printers, artists and designers. Whatever you call them, what they produce is worthwhile. As one of them tells us, "It's history!" Says another, "I'll keep printing until the hearse shows up." From the cinematography to the music to the ideas to the talk, this is one classy, informative documentary.

From Bayonet Media and running 101 minutes, Pressing On: The Letterpress Film hits VOD and DVD this coming Tuesday, June 19 -- for purchase and/or rental.

Open Roads 2013: HANDMADE CINEMA--Guido Torlonia's feast of movie memorabilia

For those of you who appreciated last year's look at the work of famed Italian production designer Dante Ferretti (above, left), I suspect you'll find this year's documentary nod to Italian cinema history even more of a treat. In it we see not just Ferretti and his oft-times collaborator Francesca Lo Schiavo (above, right), but so many of the amazing artisans (or let's just call them "artists," as Signore Ferretti politely points out) who do the wonderful carpentry, sculpture, costumes, furniture, millinery work and so much more that have gone into great Italian cinema down the decades -- and is still going on, or maybe barely hanging on. But it's there. And now, with this terrific little film, we're made aware.

Here we meet everyone from the hat- and wig-makers (above) to the jewelers and each is as fascinating, fun and charming as you could want. We watch them work and see some of their hits from ages (and films) past. For those of us of a certain age, this is spectacular and highly nostalgic. If names like Piero Tosi, Maurizio Millenotti and Gabriella Pescucci don't immediately ring a bell, they will once you've viewed this film.

We learn about Sophia Loren's famous wigs, watch a father and son (above) grow annoyed with each other (but keep it all under wraps), and learn that the folk who build the sets are indeed actual furniture makers, carpenters and construction people who know what they are doing -- and do it right.

The costumes from The Leopard?  They're here, all right. The hats worn by Silvana Mangano in  Death in Venice?  Ah, yes! And we're told about and see the paintings of the recreated Sistine Chapel from the half-century-old Agony and the Ecstasy.

The documentary is a wonderful paean to the hand-crafters who have made Italian cinema the wonder that it is. As someone notes, during the course of the film, "If you want to invest in Italy, invest in the crafts!" With a fine narration by Chiara Mastroianni, who tells us lovingly about visiting the sets on which her famous father labored, the film works its magic doubly. And the ending, with Chiara as a little girl, is simply exquisite, enchanting.

Handmade Cinema, directed by Guido Torlonia (shown at right) and written by Torlonia and Laura Delli Colli, runs just 52 minutes and plays twice at Open Roads in the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center: on Friday, June 7, at 3:45 and again Sunday, June 9, also at 3:45. On the program with this documentary is another doc -- The Rescue, by Giovanna Taviani (click and scroll down)-- which I have not seen but will during its public screenings at Open Roads, so I will report on it at that time.  To view the entire Open Roads program, click here.