Madman Films in Australia has released the official trailer for Riefenstahl, a compelling documentary that delves into the life and legacy of Leni Riefenstahl, one of the most controversial filmmakers of the 20th century. Premiering at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, the documentary has already garnered significant acclaim and has been showcased at several prestigious festivals, including Zurich and Stockholm.
Directed by Andres Veiel, an award-winning German filmmaker known for his works such as Balagan and Beuys, Riefenstahl explores the complex relationship between the filmmaker’s artistry and her involvement with the Nazi regime. The film examines how Riefenstahl, whose works such as Triumph of the Will and Olympia are iconic for their aesthetics of body worship and triumph, navigated her connections to Nazi leaders while repeatedly denying any deeper ties to the regime.
Riefenstahl, who became world-renowned for her Nazi propaganda films, maintained for years that she was simply an artist, with no personal involvement in the political machinations of Hitler and Goebbels. However, the documentary juxtaposes her self-portrayal with historical evidence that raises questions about her awareness of the atrocities committed by the Nazis.
The film asks a pivotal question: How could Riefenstahl rise to become the regime’s leading filmmaker while denying any close association with Hitler? Was she truly unaware of the horrors of the Third Reich, or did she choose to turn a blind eye? The documentary posits that Riefenstahl’s brilliance as a filmmaker coexisted with her denial of her ties to Nazism, leaving viewers to reckon with the uncomfortable reality that both can be true.
Featuring private documents from Riefenstahl’s estate—such as home movies, photographs, letters, and recordings—the film provides a rare, intimate look at her life and career, placing her personal story within the broader historical context of Nazi Germany.
Produced by Sandra Maischberger, Riefenstahl is set for a release in Australian cinemas, with a US release expected in late 2025. For now, audiences can view the trailer and reflect on the lasting impact of Riefenstahl’s films and their troubling associations with Nazi ideology.
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