Highly respected Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker dies aged 96

EntertainmentMovie
17 Feb 2026 • 5:02 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, known for his unflinching portrayal of American institutions, has died at the age of 96.
  • His death on Monday was confirmed by his family and production company, Zipporah Films.
  • Wiseman directed over 35 influential non-fiction films, including seminal works such as Titicut Follies and High School.
  • He was recognised with an honorary Academy Award in 2016 for his distinctive style, which eschewed narration and traditional documentary techniques.
  • His controversial 1967 film, 'Titicut Follies', faced a two-decade ban due to its raw depiction of a state hospital for the criminally insane.

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