City Hall

Frederick Wiseman's 2020 documentary records the workings of Boston city government. The camera is in meeting rooms, at neighbourhood gatherings, on refuse collection, in the marriage room and in budget discussions; the everyday state of administration is followed throughout. Wiseman's method is the same here: no narration, no captions, no interviews. The viewer understands what is happening from the meeting itself. That shows not only how a decision forms but how long it takes. The film runs close to four and a half hours and the length is part of the subject. Housing, climate, racial equity and cannabis licensing are each taken up in turn; nothing is summarised. The mayor appears often but the film is not his portrait. Who it's for: those who like observational documentary and are curious about public administration. Who it's not for: viewers inflexible about length and pace; the film consists of uncut meeting footage.