Welfare (film)

Welfare is a 1975 American direct cinema documentary film directed by Frederick Wiseman. The film offers a raw and unfiltered look inside the Metropolitan Hospital in New York City, specifically focusing on the welfare system's interactions with patients and staff. It provides a detailed, observational account of the daily struggles of individuals seeking assistance and the challenges faced by the overwhelmed caseworkers and medical personnel attempting to provide care.

The film is characterized by its long takes, lack of narration, and absence of interviews. Wiseman's observational approach allows the viewer to draw their own conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of the welfare system and the human impact of bureaucracy. Welfare explores a variety of themes including poverty, access to healthcare, bureaucratic inefficiency, and the dignity of individuals facing difficult circumstances. The film captures the often-frustrating and dehumanizing processes inherent in a large, under-resourced social service institution. It presents a diverse range of cases, from those seeking emergency medical attention to individuals requiring long-term social assistance.