Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast Was Hitler's filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl complicit in Nazi atrocities?
May 1, 2025
Andres Veiel, the director of the documentary 'Riefenstahl,' dives deep into the complex legacy of Leni Riefenstahl, a filmmaker whose artistry was intertwined with Nazi propaganda. He reveals shocking insights from her extensive archives, challenging her claims of ignorance about Nazi atrocities. The discussion touches on Riefenstahl's innovative cinematography in 'The Triumph of the Will,' her controversial relationship with Hitler, and the ethical implications of her work, highlighting the ongoing struggle to reconcile art with moral responsibility.
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Riefenstahl's Political Commitment
- Leni Riefenstahl was an enthusiastic National Socialist from the early 1930s, not apolitical as she claimed.
- Her mastery as a filmmaker was intertwined with producing propaganda for a regime responsible for millions of deaths.
Inventing Propaganda Aesthetics
- Riefenstahl developed a distinctive propaganda aesthetic using mass choreography and visual power.
- She transformed ideology into striking cinematic imagery, different from even avant-garde Soviet filmmakers like Eisenstein.
Master of Lies and Survival
- Riefenstahl was a masterful liar who persistently fabricated legends about her role and knowledge.
- She used aggressive charm and victimhood narratives to intimidate critics and maintain her version of events.
