Voyages of Discovery: The Cinema of Frederick Wiseman

Frederick Wiseman is a renowned chronicler of public institutions, and his films have explored various aspects of American society. Voyages of Discovery, an updated edition of Barry Keith Grant's book, provides a comprehensive analysis of Wiseman's career, discussing his core concerns, strategies for involving spectators, and his place in the history of documentary film.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Frederick Wiseman, a renowned chronicler of public institutions in America, has dedicated his filmmaking career to exploring a wide range of societal entities. His films have delved into city, state, and local governments, hospitals, asylums, creative organizations, museums, schools, libraries, and numerous other institutions. In recent years, Wiseman's work has gained immense popularity, with films like "In Jackson Heights" (2015), "Monrovia, Indiana" (2018), and "City Hall" (2020) receiving widespread critical acclaim.

"Voyages of Discovery" is a comprehensive and definitive account of Wiseman's career, offering a thorough analysis of the work of the preeminent documentary filmmaker in the United States. In this updated edition, Barry Keith Grant has added new material that delves into Wiseman's films since the 1990s, providing a detailed discussion of each film in his remarkable sixty-year career. Grant's examination spans from the early films, which focused on documenting institutional failure, to an increasing interest in cultural institutions and ideology, culminating in a profound embrace of democracy in later works. He pays particular attention to Wiseman's strategies for involving and implicating the spectator in the institutional processes depicted in the films.

Furthermore, Grant places Wiseman within the broader context of the documentary genre and other traditions of American art, exploring the relationship between documentary film and authorship. "Voyages of Discovery" is an essential book for anyone interested in Wiseman's work or the power of documentary film to reveal the intricacies of our shared civic life. It provides a deep understanding of his artistic vision, techniques, and the profound impact his films have had on audiences worldwide.

Weight: 698g
Dimension: 236 x 160 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231206228
Edition number: revised and expanded edition