Frederick Wiseman
Full Name and Common Aliases
Frederick Wiseman is a renowned American documentary filmmaker known by his full name.
Birth and Death Dates
He was born on January 16, 1930, and as of my last update in 2023, he is still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Wiseman's nationality is American, and he is a prominent documentary filmmaker.
Early Life and Background
Frederick Wiseman grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. His early life was marked by an interest in the arts, with his parents encouraging him to explore various creative pursuits. After graduating from Harvard University, Wiseman served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. This experience laid the groundwork for his future work as a filmmaker.
Major Accomplishments
Wiseman's extensive filmography spans over 50 years and includes numerous critically acclaimed documentaries that cover a wide range of subjects, such as education, healthcare, government, and social issues. His commitment to observing reality without commentary has earned him recognition as one of the most influential documentary filmmakers in American cinema.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of his notable works include "Titicut Follies" (1967), which was banned in several states due to its unflinching portrayal of life within a psychiatric hospital; "Hospital" (1970); and "High School" (1968). These films not only captured the attention of audiences but also sparked important conversations about social issues and institutional reform.
Impact and Legacy
Wiseman's impact on documentary filmmaking is undeniable. His unique approach, which emphasizes observation over narration, has influenced a generation of filmmakers. His dedication to exploring complex subjects through nuanced storytelling has inspired a new wave of documentaries that prioritize fact over sensationalism.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Frederick Wiseman is widely quoted and remembered for his unwavering commitment to the truth in filmmaking. His willingness to tackle difficult subjects, even when faced with censorship or controversy, has cemented his status as a pioneer in documentary cinema.
Quotes by Frederick Wiseman
Anybody whose mind is functioning at all can’t be content with the way the world works.
I don’t like to read novels where the novelist tells me what to think about the situation and the characters. I prefer to discover for myself.
I’m very careful of not being critical of other people’s movies, which work in different styles. I think some of my movies can be interpreted as critical of their subjects.
I’m interested in ordinary experience, and regardless of the precise definition of ordinary, and I’ve found that in so-called ordinary experience, there is as much comedy, tragedy, sadness, as there is in great drama. And I don’t invent it, I recognize it.
One’s relationship to time is complicated, and sometimes a day will drag on forever and sometimes it’ll be over in a flash. When you look back, “I’m old,” after 40 or 60 years, I can’t believe I’m as old as I am.
Whether you’re a newspaper journalist, a lawyer, a doctor. You have to organize your thoughts.
I’m too busy to be nostalgic, which is one of the reasons to keep busy. I’m not a very sentimental person.
In moviemaking, you learn to pay attention to detail, because so much is in the detail. And when you’re shooting, you try to be very alert to what’s going on, even if you’re tired.
I think I have an obligation, to the people who have consented to be in the film, to make a film that is fair to their experience. The editing of my films is a long and selective process. I do feel that when I cut a sequence, I have an obligation to the people who are in it, to cut it so that it fairly represents what I felt was going on at the time, in the original event. I don't try and cut it to meet the standards of a producer or a network or a television show.
I'm interested in ordinary experience, and regardless of the precise definition of ordinary, and I've found that in so-called ordinary experience, there is as much comedy, tragedy, sadness, as there is in great drama. And I don't invent it, I recognize it.