Frederick Wiseman, the iconic Boston-born filmmaker and theater director, has spent over six decades capturing the complexities of institutional life, both in the United States and around the world. Known for his unflinching documentary style, Wiseman’s films delve deep into the heart of human experience, offering an insightful and nuanced perspective on society’s inner workings.

In December 2024, MassArt honored Wiseman with a Common Good Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the world of documentary filmmaking. And this Spring, MassArt is proud to present screenings of three of his recently restored and rarely-seen works: The Last Letter, Deaf, and Meat, as part of a city-wide retrospective of his work. The MassArt screenings will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, and are free and open to the public—no tickets required.

A Storied Career

Over the course of his remarkable career, Wiseman has directed more than 40 captivating documentaries, each offering an unflinching look at the complexity of social institutions and human behavior. From the inner workings of hospitals, schools, and prisons to the everyday moments that make up our lives, his films reveal the intricate, often hidden layers of society. His contributions to the world of cinema have earned him countless accolades, including four Emmys, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival.

Wiseman’s cinematic eye captures not only the structures we navigate but also the people who populate them, allowing viewers to connect with the human stories behind the institutions. His observational style—devoid of narration—invites audiences to draw their own conclusions, making each film a deeply personal experience.

A Vision Beyond the Screen

Beyond his work in documentary filmmaking, Frederick has also made significant contributions to the theater. He has directed acclaimed productions in Paris at La Comédie Française, including Samuel Beckett’s Oh Les Beaux Jours, and in New York at the Theater for a New Audience. His diverse artistic vision has been documented in the book Frederick Wiseman, a comprehensive collection of essays published by Gallimard and the Museum of Modern Art.

Join Us for Special Screenings

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience the work of a living legend. The screenings of The Last Letter (one of only two fictional Wiseman films), Deaf, and Meat on May 10, 2025, offer an exclusive glimpse into the work of one of the most celebrated filmmakers of our time. Whether you’re a longtime admirer or new to Wiseman’s work, these films will provide an unparalleled opportunity to see the world through his keen and compassionate lens.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Location: MassArt (Boston, MA)
Films: The Last Letter, Deaf, and Meat
Admission: Free, no ticket required

This is more than a film screening—it’s a chance to celebrate a filmmaker whose work continues to shape how we view the world.

Additional film screenings

Central Park

Frederick Wiseman, 1990, U.S., 176m
Central Park focuses on the famous New York City landmark and the variety of ways people make use of it, while illustrating the complex problems the New York City Parks Department deals with in order to maintain and preserve the park and keep it open and accessible to the public.

Coolidge Corner Theatre, Wednesday, April 23, 7pm
Tickets: www.coolidge.org

Zoo

Frederick Wiseman, 1993, U.S., 130m
Zoo is a film about the Miami Zoo, the care and maintenance of the animals by the keepers, the work of the veterinarians and their staff, and the visits to the zoo by people from all over the world. The film presents the wide diversity of interests and activities at the zoo and the interrelatedness of the animal, human, ethical, financial, technical, organizational, and research aspects of its operation.

Independent Film Festival Boston (IFFBoston), Sunday, April 27, at a time and venue TBA
Tickets: https://iffboston.org/

Boxing Gym

Frederick Wiseman, 2010, U.S., 91m
The subject of the film is an Austin, Texas institution, Lord’s Gym, which was founded over twenty years ago by Richard Lord, a former professional boxer. A wide variety of people of all ages, races, ethnicities and social classes train at the gym: men, women, children, doctors, lawyers, judges, business men and women, immigrants, professional boxers and people who want to become professional boxers alongside amateurs who love the sport and teenagers who are trying to develop strength and assertiveness. The gym is an example of the American “melting pot” where people meet, talk, and train.

Somerville Theatre, Tuesday, May 6, 7pm
Tickets: www.somervilletheatre.com

Public Housing

Frederick Wiseman, 1997, U.S., 195m
Public Housing documents daily life at the Ida B. Wells public housing development in Chicago. The film illustrates some of the experiences of people living in conditions of extreme poverty. Events include the work of the tenants’ council, street life, the role of police, job training programs, drug education, teenage mothers, dysfunctional families, elderly residents, nursery school, after-school teenage programs, and the activities of the city, state, and federal governments in maintaining and changing public housing.

Somerville Theatre, Tuesday, May 20, 6:30pm
Tickets: www.somervilletheatre.com