Frederick Wiseman died in February 2026 at ninety-six, and Metrograph's response was to give his New York films a series in the small Ludlow Street rooms where observational documentary plays best. Model spends 129 minutes inside a Manhattan modelling agency in 1981, watching bookings and castings assemble themselves with no narration at all. If you have never sat through a Wiseman with an audience, this is the introduction.
What to expect
A DCP presentation of a long, patient black-and-white documentary with no voiceover, no interviews and no music, preceded by a short introduction from the series' lead facilitator. Expect a full room of repertory regulars and a lobby bar upstairs afterwards for arguing about it.
Good to know
- Metrograph is on Ludlow Street below Canal; the F to East Broadway or the B and D to Grand Street are closest.
- Screenings in the smaller of the two theatres sell out, so buy ahead rather than at the door.
- The film runs over two hours with no interval and no narration; it rewards patience.
- There is a bar and restaurant upstairs, worth arriving early for.
- The introduction happens before the film starts, so do not turn up late.
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Common questions
What is Model about?
It is Frederick Wiseman's 1981 documentary shot inside a New York modelling agency, following bookings, castings and commercial shoots in his usual observational style with no narration or interviews.
Who is introducing the screening?
Genevieve Yue, a film scholar and programmer who is the lead facilitator of Metrograph's Wiseman's New York series, introduces the film before it begins.
How long is it?
129 minutes, screening on DCP, with no intermission.
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