City Hall

Between autumn 2018 and winter 2019, Wiseman filmed the myriad activities of Boston's city services, from parking infringements to stray dogs; community events to waterfront developments; law enforcement to policy making. The most visible face of the city government is Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the son of Irish immigrants, and a former construction worker and union leader. Walsh is a friend to the environment and a champion of human rights and equality. The policies of his administration are strikingly at odds with then-President Trump's values – making the film particularly heartening. With his trademark observational style, Wiseman (Monrovia, Indiana, SFF 2019; Ex Libris: The New York Public Library, SFF 2018) expertly captures democracy in action at all levels and documents an organisation endeavouring to do the right thing against difficult odds.