Frederick Wiseman

Directing

Frederick Wiseman

Born January 1, 1930 · Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Died February 16, 2026 · aged 96

Frederick Wiseman (January 1, 1930 — February 16, 2026) was an American filmmaker, documentarian, and theatre director. As a documentarian, Wiseman has been noted for his ability to capture the nuances of life in American institutions such as prisons, hospitals, welfare offices, and high schools. He started out in 1963 by producing a narrative crime drama, The Cool World, an examination of the liv…

Known For

A Private LifeA Private Life · 2025
A Private Life
★ 5.52025
MovieMysteryCrime
When renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner learns of the sudden death of a patient, she suspects murder. She mounts a private investigation, enlisting an odd assortment of quirky characters.
My Sole DesireMy Sole Desire · 2023
My Sole Desire
★ 6.62023
MovieRomanceDrama
When aimless Manon begins work at À mon seul désir, a strip club that offers high concept performances, she instantly bonds with her fellow strippers, particularly Mia, an aspiring actress with a boyfriend and child. Manon learns that it is “not easy money, but fast money” and when she finds herself falling for Mia, she is forced to question her priorities as she explores her newfound erotic life.
Other People's ChildrenOther People's Children · 2022
Other People's Children
★ 6.72022
MovieDramaComedy
Rachel loves her life, her students, her friends, her ex, her guitar lessons. When she falls in love with Ali, she grows close to his 4-year-old daughter, Leila. She tucks her in, looks after her, and loves her like a mother... which she isn’t. Not yet. Rachel is 40. The desire for a family of her own is growing stronger, and the clock is ticking. Is it too late?
Jane Austen Wrecked My LifeJane Austen Wrecked My Life · 2025
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
★ 6.12025
MovieComedyRomance
An aspiring author looking to get more out of life takes up a writing residency and finds herself in the sort of romantic entanglements that could come from the pages of a Jane Austen novel.
Titicut FolliesTiticut Follies · 1967
Titicut Follies
★ 7.31967
MovieDocumentary
Employing methods of direct cinema–observation, limited stylization, and non-intervention–this stark look into the State Prison for the Criminally Insane in Bridgewater, Massachusetts shows its denizens, who were often kept in barren cells and infrequently bathed, forced to strip naked publicly, force feeding, and the indifference and bullying by many of the hospital's staff.
I Miss Sonia HenieI Miss Sonia Henie · 1971
I Miss Sonia Henie
★ 5.41971
MovieComedyDrama
One camera in one setting, one attic and eight young directors – the result is a unique Dadaistic collage of seven short sketches. The original task for each filmmaker was to keep each short under three minutes, to set it in one hotel room, and to include the sentence “I miss Sonja Henie." This experimental film was shot over a single night at the international film festival FEST in Beograd in 1971.
Ex Libris: The New York Public LibraryEx Libris: The New York Public Library · 2017
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
★ 6.42017
MovieDocumentary
A documentary about how a dominant cultural and demographic institution both sustains their traditional activities and adapts to the digital revolution.
Crazy HorseCrazy Horse · 2011
Crazy Horse
★ 6.52011
MovieDocumentary
A cinéma vérité exploration of the grueling schedules, auditions, lighting design, and backstage operations at the famous Parisian nude cabaret, Le Crazy Horse de Paris, over a ten-week period, specifically capturing the creation of a new show put together by choreographer Philippe Decouflé. Wiseman highlights the immense precision, discipline, and artistic effort required by dancers and staff to maintain the legendary cabaret's distinct aesthetic.

Filmography

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City HallCity Hall · 2020
City Hall
★ 6.52020
MovieDocumentary
An epic look at Boston’s city government, covering racial justice, housing, climate action, and more, exploring the government of Boston, MA, from racial justice, housing, climate change action and more. Wiseman's documentaries do not have a standard narrative arc, narration, or interviews, but are based on observation of day-to-day organizational life, in this case, the activities of Boston's city government in fall 2018 and winter 2019. Much of the film follows Mayor Marty Walsh in activities such as meetings with aides at City Hall, addressing business leaders about the impact of climate change on the Harbor, listening to veterans at Faneuil Hall on November 11, observing Thanksgiving Day at Goodwill Industries, and giving his state of the city address at Symphony Hall.

Director