City Hall

Between autumn 2018 and winter 2019, Wiseman embedded in his hometown and filmed Boston city hall’s day-to-day operations. Tasks range from dealing with parking infringements to stray dogs; community events to waterfront developments; law enforcement to policy making. The most visible face of Boston’s government is Mayor Martin J. Walsh, a former construction worker and union leader. Walsh is a friend to the environment and champion of human rights. His administration’s policies are strikingly at odds with those of then-President Donald Trump. In his trademark observational style, Wiseman captures democracy in action and documents an organisation striving to do the right thing against difficult odds.

Complement your in-cinema viewing of It Takes Time: Ten Films by Frederick Wiseman with a Wiseman Masterclass, hosted for a limited time on ACMI’s online platform, Cinema 3.