Cinema Expanded: The Films of Frederick Wiseman

Thanks to the BFI, we're getting the rare opportunity to showcase some of the 40-odd films Frederick Wiseman has made throughout his decades-long career. Over the next ten months, we're inviting you to check out of endless scrolling and into the different worlds Wiseman observes so closely in all his documentaries. 

Born 1 Jan 1930, Wiseman has spent more than half a century documenting the structures, contradictions and rituals of modern life. Without voiceover or talking heads, his work is focused on the reality of his subjects: cultural institutions such as the New York Public Library, the American Ballet Theatre, public entities like hospitals, welfare centres, and schools and places like Central Park. 

These are films for those who like to people watch, who like to see people at work, and to think about what those things mean. As Wiseman himself says:

"If you are going to have theories about American society, you’ve got to look at all aspects of it. You’ve got to look at how the images are created that affect people’s lives and the choices of consumer goods they buy."

Wiseman Viewing Card

Inspired by his portrait of the New York Public Library system, Ex Libris, we've created a Viewing Card for our Wiseman season. With your Viewing Card, you can get every fifth Wiseman visit free. We'll stamp your card at each visit and you can use this to either request a free ticket in venue or send us a picture of your stamped card and we'll book you in online for your next one. Pick one up the next time you're in venue. 

Cinema Expanded - The Films of Frederick Wiseman is a comprehensive season of the documentarian’s work, taking place throughout 2026.