On January 31, Film at Lincoln Center began a landmark retrospective titled Frederick Wiseman: An American Institution. The series showcases new 4K restorations of over 30 of the filmmaker’s works, which together form a monumental survey of American life—with a frequent focus on the intersections of individuals and institutions. Wiseman just turned 95 on New Year’s Day, and the FLC program comes on the heels of (or concurrent to) similar retrospectives in Los Angeles; Portland, Maine; Paris; Chicago; St. Louis; and Boston.

How does one even begin to consider a body of work so sprawling, so rigorous, and so significant? For today’s episode, Film Comment hosted a “Wiseman Potluck,” where each guest was tasked with bringing one film that especially resonates with them to the discussion. Film Comment Editors Clinton Krute and Devika Girish were joined by Andrew Katzenstein, the author of a terrific new essay on Wiseman for The New York Review of Books; Genevieve Yue, who interviewed the legendary filmmaker for the Film Comment Letter in 2022; and FC’s very own Michael Blair. The group covered the films Central Park (1990), At Berkeley (2013), Basic Training (1971), Aspen (1991), Blind (1986), and more, and reflected on Wiseman’s politics of observation and striking eye for beauty.

The Mains:

Central Park (3:30)

At Berkeley (17:30)

Law and Order + Basic Training (23:10)

Aspen (35:20)

Blind (47:31)

Some Desserts:

The Store (1983)

Un Couple (2022)

Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros (2023)