His documentaries, shot vérité-style, are meticulously edited narratives chronicling life’s complexities through rich portraits of social and cultural institutions. Wiseman’s themes are expansive: democracy, power, inequality and community, to name a few; but his focus is compellingly specific and humane. Whether revealing shortcomings in social support or celebrating culinary excellence, he has a unique eye – and ear – for detail.

We’ll explore a selection of his films in loosely thematic and chronological order, looking first at renowned films about public institutions, followed by works grounded in a strong sense of place, before concluding with a group of films about cultural life. All films are new digital restorations, which were overseen by Wiseman himself.