Riefenstahl

Leni Riefenstahl is one of the most controversial figures of the twentieth century. Her films “Triumph des Willen” and “Olympia” exemplify staged body worship and the celebration of superiority while projecting contempt for the imperfect. Riefenstahl’s aesthetics are more relevant today than ever, but does the same hold true for their underlying message? Andres Veiel’s documentary film explores this question using documents from her estate, including private films, photos, letters, and recordings. It uncovers fragments of her biography within a broader historical context. How did she become the Reich’s leading filmmaker while denying ties to Hitler and Goebbels? In personal documents, she laments her “murdered ideals.” Riefenstahl reflects many post-war Germans who, through her estate's letters and recordings, yearn for an authoritative figure to restore order to the “shit-hole state,” believing this could revive her work in a generation or two. What if they are right?

Director: Andres Veiel ● Screenplay: Andres Veiel ● Cinematographer: Toby Cornish ● Editor: Stephan Krumbiegel, Olaf Voigtländer, Alfredo Castro ● Music: Freya Arde ● Sound: Matthias Lempert ● Produktion: Sandra Maischberger ● Archive Producer: Monika Preischl, Mona El-Bira

Director: Delaine Le Bas ● Camera: Lincoln Cato, Delaine Le Bas, Hera Santos ● Editor: Laszlo Farkas ● Sound: Justin Langlands ● Music: Laszlo Farkas Mixing of Original Sound & Justin Langlands ● Cast: Delaine Le Bas, Hera Santos ● Producer: Delaine Le Bas