Frederick Wiseman: Aspen & Welfare

Join us for a discussion of two films by legendary documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman: Aspen (1991) and Welfare (1975). This is a discussion, not a screening. Please watch both films beforehand, and come ready to share your thoughts. From the wealthy ski resort world of Aspen to the bureaucracy and human encounters of Welfare, Wiseman observes people and institutions without narration or explanation. We’ll discuss his distinctive observational style, class and power, institutional life, and how he creates meaning simply through filming and editing what unfolds in front of the camera. A relaxed but serious conversation for anyone interested in documentary, cinema, and the strange complexity of everyday social life.