Law and Order. 1969. USA. Directed by Frederick Wiseman. 16mm. 81 min.
Forever questioning the relationship between the individual and the institution, Law and Order is among Frederick Wiseman’s most enduring works. Embedding himself with officers of the Kansas City Police Department in 1968, Wiseman turned his camera to law enforcement as the civil rights movement was nearing its end and demonstrations more and more frequently resulted in violence. Law and Order follows the Kansas City officers as they answer domestic disturbance calls, wantonly harass a Black sex worker, banter with each other in their patrol cars, and manage the administrative duties of the station. With an ease only Wiseman is capable of, the film exposes horrifying moments of police brutality and captures gentle instances of police serving their communities productively.