National Gallery

 This time the grand old man of hands-off documentaries casts his gaze on one of the biggest art institutions in the world, the London's National Gallery. This is a film about people exploring artworks, a portrait of the day-to-day operations of the gallery, that takes us to staff meetings, curatorial discussions and gallery talks. It is a clear-sighted attempt to establish, with honesty, what working at the National Gallery is like – and that is its principal value.
 
Frederick Wiseman knows to brilliantly make portraits of institutions, putting together perfectly all the cinematic elements and weaving everything into marvelous visual and sonic texture. Paris opera, a gym in Texas, Berkeley University, this time London's National Gallery – these are man's created microcosms, every one of them distinct in its style and character. A spectator follows the camera thus becoming part of a perfect world. V. L.

 Frederick Wiseman
 
American filmmaker Frederick Wiseman is renowned for his ability to subtly record and paint the portraits of leading North American institutions, such as prisons, hospitals, and schools. His essay-like films contain no interviews, added music, or commentary and follow no chronological order. As a result there is enough room for the audience to make up its own mind about the meaning of the material. Wiseman’s films have been nominated for and won awards at numerous festivals around the world, notably in Cannes, Venice and Berlin.
 
Selected Filmography
 
La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet / La Danse - Le Ballet de L’Opera de Paris (2009)
Domestic Violence (2001)
Near Death (1989)
Law and Order (1969)

Information

Director: Frederick Wiseman
Cinematography: Frederick Wiseman
Editing: Frederick Wiseman
Producer: Frederick Wiseman
Production: Vendetta Films
JAV, 2014, 147 min.