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Die MACHT DER BILDER: LENI RIEFENSTAHL (1993)

Film details

Alternative titles

  • The WONDERFUL, HORRIBLE LIFE OF LENI RIEFENSTAHL Alternative
  • The POWER OF THE IMAGE: LENI RIEFENSTAHL Alternative
  • Die MACHT DER BILDER Alternative
  • The WONDERFUL AND HORRIBLE LIFE OF LENI RIEFENSTAHL Alternative
  • LENI RIEFENSTAHL Alternative

Synopsis

A profile of and interview with the German film director Leni Riefenstahl. She talks about her career as an actress, particularly in the "mountain" films and working with Fanck and his influence on her. She talks particularly about making the films THE BLUE LIGHT, TRIUMPH OF THE WILL, TIEFLAND and OLYMPIAD, especially the cinematographic techniques and editing. On politics, she talks about her first meeting with Hitler and about Goebbels, and of her disillusionment with Hitler and the regime after the War. She also responds to the criticisms that she was a Nazi and her classification as a "mitlaufer" by the de-Nazification board and how this has affected her career. The latter part of the film looks at her work amongst the Nuba people in Southern Sudan and her work in underwater photography, which she started aged 70, and continues to do now, in partnership with cameraman Horst Kettner. The film includes clips from her various films and comments from her cameramen and others with whom she has worked.

Cast & Credits

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