Frederick Wiseman Talks About His Method & “The Only Safe Assumption” About Audiences

Here’s a video interview with Frederick Wiseman recorded at the time of the release of his documentary NATIONAL GALLERY. In it, he gives a nice, concise overview of his aesthetic. In May and June, AFS will show three new 35mm prints of Wiseman’s early films TITICUT FOLLIES, HIGH SCHOOL and HOSPITAL.

“The way I try to make the films is to give the viewer enough information that they can feel that they are present. And, at the same time, they can make up their own minds about what they are seeing and hearing. I don’t like films that are didactic or that condescend toward the viewer. The only safe assumption for me is that the viewer of the film is as smart or as dumb as I am.”