City Hall

City Hall

2020 · 272 min · ★ 6.5 · Documentary

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.

Directed by Frederick Wiseman

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Cast

Marty Walsh Self - The Mayor

Trailers & Videos

Make it a double feature

5h 35m together

City Hall

A Couple

Both from Frederick Wiseman.

More from Frederick WisemanSee all →

The Garden

The Garden · 2005

MovieDocumentary

A documentary exploring the landscape of Madison Square Garden. Filmed in 1997 and prevented from public screening by the property's operators.

La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet

La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet · 2009

La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet

MovieDocumentary

Frederick Wiseman observes the ins and outs of the Paris Opera House, including the processes behind seven of their operas: Genus (Wayne McGregor), Le Songe de Médée (Angelin Preljocaj), La Maison de Bernarda (Mats Ek), Paquita (Pierre Lacotte), Casse-Noisette (Rudolf Nureyev), Orphée et Eurydice (Pina Bausch), and Roméo et Juliette (Sasha Walt).

Storyville

Storyville · 1997

SeriesDocumentary

Showcasing the best in international documentaries, Storyville has developed an enviable reputation since its inception more than a decade ago. Screening over 340 films, from some 70 different countries, the strand has garnered a staggering array of awards: five Oscars, 15 Griersons, three Peabodys and two International Emmys. In true, unique, Storyville style, the new series promises to deliver the strand's usual eclectic mix of compelling stories from across the globe.

Central Park

Central Park · 1990

MovieDocumentary

The famous New York City landmark is given the spotlight, as well as the variety of ways in which people make use of it: running, boating, walking, skating, music, theatre, sports, picnics, parades and concerts. Further illustrated are the complex problems the NYC Parks Department deals with in order to maintain and preserve the park and keep it open and accessible to the public.

A Couple

A Couple · 2022

MovieDramaHistory

Explores a long-term relationship between a man and a woman: the man, Leo Tolstoy; the woman, his wife, Sophia. Married for 36 years, had thirteen children, nine of whom survived, each kept a diary. Although they lived together, in the same house, they frequently wrote letters to each other. Leo insists that they read their diaries aloud to guests at dinner parties. The Tolstoys were also a dysfunctional couple, arguing frequently and being very unhappy with each other while occasionally enjoying passionate moments of reconciliation. Sophia’s monologue explores the joys and struggles of their life together, loosely drawn from their letters to each other and their diary entries.

National Gallery

National Gallery · 2014

National Gallery

MovieDocumentary

A portrait of the day-to-day operations of the National Gallery of London, that reveals the role of the employees and the experiences of the Gallery's visitors. The film portrays the role of the curators and conservators; the education, scientific, and conservation departments; and the audience of all kinds of people who come to experience it.

Titicut Follies

Titicut Follies · 1967

Titicut Follies

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.

Canal Zone

Canal Zone · 1977

MovieDocumentary

Follow the people who live and work in the Panama Canal Zone and glimpse into both the operation of the Canal and the various governmental agencies — business, military, and civilian — related to the functioning of the Canal and the lives of the Americans in the zone. Features sequences of ships in transit, the work of special canal pilots, aspects of the civil government, work of the military, and the social, religious and recreational life of the Zonians.

High School

High School · 1969

MovieDocumentary

What really happens inside the walls of an American high school? Famed documentarian Frederick Wiseman answers that question in this peek inside Philadelphia's Northeast High School, where students constantly clash with teachers, and teachers wage their own battle against the administration. Delving into the everyday struggle teachers face to discipline their unruly charges, the audience is offered a glimpse into the highs and lows at an urban public school.

Menus-Plaisirs, les Troisgros

Menus-Plaisirs, les Troisgros · 2023

Menus-Plaisirs, les Troisgros

MovieDocumentary

Founded in 1930, Troisgros has held three Michelin stars for 55 years. The children of the fourth generation, Marie-Pierre and Michel's sons continue the family business: César runs the Michelin-starred restaurant, 'Le Bois sans feuilles' ('The Leafless Wood'), and Léo is in charge of one of the other two Troisgros restaurants, 'La Colline du colombier' ('The Dovecote Hill'). From the daily market to the cheese maturing cellars, via the vineyard, the cattle farm and the vegetable garden adjacent to the restaurant, Menus-Plaisirs is an intimate, sensory journey through the kitchens of one of the world's most prestigious restaurants.

Law and Order

Law and Order · 1969

MovieDocumentary

A survey of the wide range of work police are asked to perform: enforcing the law, maintaining order, and providing general social services. The depicted incidents illustrate how training, community expectations, socio-economic status of the subject, the threat of violence, and discretion affect police behavior.

Eephus

MovieDramaComedy

As an imminent construction project looms over their beloved small-town baseball field, a pair of New England rec-league teams face off for the last time. Tensions flare up and ceremonial laughs are shared as an era of camaraderie and escapism fades into an uncertain future.

Other People's Children

Other People's Children · 2022

Other People's Children

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?

At Berkeley

At Berkeley · 2013

MovieDocumentary

Direct cinema pioneer Frederick Wiseman takes an in-depth look at the preeminent American university during a fall semester that saw a vigorous debate over tuition hikes, budget cuts, and the future of higher education in the United States.

My Sole Desire

My Sole Desire · 2023

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.

Boxing Gym

Boxing Gym · 2010

MovieDocumentary

Veteran award-winning documentarian Frederick Wiseman turns his lens on the world of boxing, specifically on a gym in Austin, Texas. Unobtrusively recording the simple comings and goings at the facility, Wiseman documents daily life at the gym, its many patrons, their routines, and its owner, Richard Lord.

More Like This

Life After People

Life After People · 2008

Life After People

MovieDocumentaryTV Movie

In this special documentary that inspired a two-season television series, scientists and other experts speculate about what the Earth, animal life, and plant life might be like if, suddenly, humanity no longer existed, as well as the effect humanity's disappearance might have on the artificial aspects of civilization.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter