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TITICUT FOLLIES
1967
Director
Frederick Wiseman
Starring
Runtime
84 minutes
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This explosive film, which made documentarian Frederick Wiseman a household name, provides an unflinching look at the conditions inside the Bridgewater State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Massachusetts. TITICUT FOLLIES takes its title from the name of a theatrical variety show put on by inmates and staff as part of the hospital's activities, but it is far from a lighthearted spectacle.
Through a combination of observational footage and stark, unfiltered moments of daily life at the institution, TITICUT FOLLIES reveals the dehumanizing and brutal treatment of the patients. Wiseman captures moments of psychological distress, neglect, physical abuse, and the overall erosion of dignity faced by the mentally ill within the system. The documentary does not provide commentary or interviews but instead lets the raw footage speak for itself, presenting a harrowing portrait of institutional life and the mistreatment of vulnerable individuals.
TITICUT FOLLIES was banned in the United States for many years, with concerns over patient privacy and the negative portrayal of the mental health system. Despite its initial ban, it became an influential work in the documentary genre, sparking debates about ethics, the treatment of the mentally ill, and the power of documentary filmmaking to expose societal issues.
“A principled and gravely disturbing look into the void. Now, 50 years later, the film can be seen for what it was: a work of political art and moral courage.” - Manohla Dargis, New York Times
Through a combination of observational footage and stark, unfiltered moments of daily life at the institution, TITICUT FOLLIES reveals the dehumanizing and brutal treatment of the patients. Wiseman captures moments of psychological distress, neglect, physical abuse, and the overall erosion of dignity faced by the mentally ill within the system. The documentary does not provide commentary or interviews but instead lets the raw footage speak for itself, presenting a harrowing portrait of institutional life and the mistreatment of vulnerable individuals.
TITICUT FOLLIES was banned in the United States for many years, with concerns over patient privacy and the negative portrayal of the mental health system. Despite its initial ban, it became an influential work in the documentary genre, sparking debates about ethics, the treatment of the mentally ill, and the power of documentary filmmaking to expose societal issues.
“A principled and gravely disturbing look into the void. Now, 50 years later, the film can be seen for what it was: a work of political art and moral courage.” - Manohla Dargis, New York Times