Turning 100, Leni Riefenstahl Speaks About New Film

ABC News ^ | July 14, 2002 | Adam Tanner/Reuters

[mountaineer]

BERLIN (Reuters) - Only now as she approaches her 100th birthday next month does the legendary Leni Riefenstahl admit that age is slowing down the pioneering film maker who became notorious as Adolf Hitler's favorite director.

For decades Riefenstahl has endured as a controversial, larger-than-life legend who lived life undaunted and undeterred by the passage of time. She took up scuba diving at the age of 72 and just three years ago survived a helicopter crash in Sudan.

The director of "Triumph of the Will," a documentary on the 1934 Nuremberg Rally, will in August release her first film in half a century, an underwater documentary taken during her many dives in exotic locations such as the Indian Ocean. ...

As a young woman she strove for fame as a ballet dancer and an actress and later as a film director. She sought out Nazi dictator Hitler, who commissioned "Triumph of the Will," and "Olympia," her pioneering film record of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

This artistic link to the Nazis, as well as rumors which she has always denied of a romantic link with Hitler, made Riefenstahl a pariah after the war.

Asked if she was unfairly cast out from her profession, she said: "Yes, I agree 100 percent."

She defends her movies during the Nazi era as art and said she does not deserve to be forever condemned for this past.

Critics have accused her of failing to face up to issues raised by her involvement with the Nazis.

....

[mountaineer]

In deference to Reuters' copyright message, please go to the ABC web site for the rest of the story.

German photographer and artist Leni Riefenstahl, then 98, is seen during the presentation of her book 'Five Lives' at the Frankfurt book fair in this October 19, 2000 file photo. Only now as she approaches her 100th birthday next month does Riefenstahl admit that age is slowing her down after she became notorious as Adolf Hitler's favorite director. Photo by Alexandra Winkler/Reuters

[mountaineer]

My comments:

I don't know whether she personally bought into Hitler's brand of socialism and racism, or not (of course, she denies it), but her films were remarkable for their artistry. Is the art worthless as art if its message is bad? I don't know, but as a sports enthusiast I find it difficult not to admire the beauty of the photographic techniques used in "Olympiad".

[mountaineer]

bump

[NYCVirago]

She looks pretty well-preserved for 98!

[Thoudothprotest]

She subscribed to the beliefs, willingly participated in the propaganda, and remains completely unapologetic about her involvement.

She needs to be shunned, not celebrated.

[aristeides]

Virgil celebrated Augustus's regime, John Milton was the chief propagandist for Cromwell's. There's no reason to believe great art can't be at the service of criminal governments.

Leni Riefenstahl was indeed a propagandist for Hitler's regime, but she was also probably the greatest cinematographer of the 20th century.

Should Virgil and Milton have been shunned?

[rmlew]

Their greatest works were not propoganda peices for the regimes.

[mountaineer]

Interesting and valid point, although I don't really see Olympiad as much of a propaganda piece. Hitler's appearance is almost irrelevant to the celebration of athletic perfection. Obviously, Triumph of the Will is quite another story.

[Shermy]

I don't know if you've seen the film biograhpy about her, but here's my two bits:

Best scene - Her showing how she had to edit the films, all by herself, in the old days, without technology.

Most telling scene - She's outdoors with two fellows who worked with her on a foreign trip, I recall a trip to record a meeting with Molotov in 1939. She starts to lose her "I know nuthink" pose and gleefully recalls the supposed political triumphs of the event. The fellows sit, embarrassed.

[aristeides]

I have seen the documentary about Riefenstahl. I agree it's good. I agree it makes it clear she's lying. But that does not detract from the quality of her work.

[Shermy]

Quality she has. Very interesting those "Mountain climber" movies.

[mountaineer]

I don't recall the second scene you described, but the editing scene was interesting. She did some amazing work with those old, heavy cameras, lenses and time-consuming editing machines (amazing, that is, irrespective of the film's message or purpose).