Subplotly
--:--:--
ALL SHELVES·
At Berkeley (2013) poster

At Berkeley

dir. Frederick Wiseman · 2013

Feature
Institutional Corruption
Mood
Contemplative
Look
stark realism with a focus on candid moments
Structure
observational and immersive
Plot

The University of California at Berkeley, the oldest and most prestigious member of a ten campus public education system, is also one of the finest research and teaching facilities in the world. The film, At Berkeley, shows the major aspects of university life, its intellectual and social mission, its obligation to the state and to larger ideas of higher education, as well as illustrates how decisions are made and implemented by the administration in collaboration with its various constituencies.

Why watch

A group of students gathers in a lecture hall, their faces a mix of anticipation and anxiety as they discuss the future of their education. The camera captures the ebb and flow of university life, revealing the intricate dance between administration and student bodies. Watching this film feels like stepping into a living, breathing institution, where every decision echoes through the halls and classrooms, inviting reflection on the very nature of education and governance.

Talking points
  • the role of public universities
  • the impact of administration on education
  • student activism and engagement
  • the future of higher education
Cultural context
public education debatesstudent protestsadministrative transparencyCalifornia's higher education system

Where this shelves

every shelf · back to the store