The Shocking Truth About Hitler’s Favorite Filmmaker Revealed

VENICE, Italy—Few filmmakers are as controversial as Leni Riefenstahl. After gaining recognition with The Blue Light in 1932, her exceptional filmmaking caught the eye of the Third Reich. Adolf Hitler, impressed by her aesthetic skills, commissioned her to direct a short film called The Victory of Faith. This eventually led to the creation of 1935’s The Triumph of the Will, a notorious propaganda film. The documentary, centered on a Nazi party rally, featured groundbreaking techniques and potent imagery. More importantly, it glorified Hitler, playing a crucial role in enhancing his reputation both in Germany and internationally.

Riefenstahl lived to the age of 101, spending much of her life vehemently denying any involvement in the Nazi war effort. She constantly battled with journalists, insisting she had no idea about the Nazi atrocities, claiming she was merely a filmmaker for hire.

Directed by Andres Veiel, Riefenstahl, which just premiered at the Venice Film Festival, delves into the life of Germany’s most controversial filmmaker. It taps into her extensive archive to offer a comprehensive portrait of Riefenstahl’s life before and after the war, as well as her controversial role in the Nazi regime.

A personal archive can reveal a lot about an individual—their treasured possessions, photos, and memories that shaped them. Filmmakers often shoot more footage than what ends up in the final movie, and Riefenstahl was no exception. Her library included endless hours of home videos. However, archives are also curated, allowing Riefenstahl to control the narrative. Whether out of ego or narcissism, her home movies contained evidence that contradicts her lifelong denials. Perhaps she thought no one would ever sift through it, or maybe she didn’t care.

Veiel assembles Riefenstahl’s letters, photos, interviews, phone calls, and films to construct a damning and irrefutable portrait of the filmmaker. His technique, using Riefenstahl’s own words against her, is both devastating and impactful. This film is a masterclass in uncovering the truth about someone who spent their entire life denying it.

A significant portion of Riefenstahl‘s nearly two-hour runtime consists of interviews. Journalists repeatedly ask how she couldn’t see herself as complicit in the rise of the Third Reich. Initially, Riefenstahl’s frustration appears almost justified. She might have simply done the job because rejecting Hitler wasn’t an option. Facing constant accusations when you believe in your innocence is taxing, and Riefenstahl showed remarkable restraint in not lashing out at her critics.

However, the film reveals her dishonesty. Veiel highlights a letter Riefenstahl wrote to Hitler about Triumph of the Will, which gushes over him like a schoolgirl. It’s eye-opening. Moreover, Veiel uncovers that during the filming of Lowlands in 1940, Riefenstahl used Roma prisoners as extras. Riefenstahl always claimed they were set free afterward, denying any wrongdoing. But Veiel presents clear evidence that they perished in concentration camps. The Roma community held her accountable, which infuriated her, leading to a controversial remark: “Who’s more likely to commit perjury? Me or the Gypsies?”

As Veiel uncovers more about the real Riefenstahl, our perception of her changes dramatically. She transforms from a weary defender of her stated innocence into an unrepentant sycophant. Riefenstahl is a powerful exposé, unmasking a private woman who dismissed the horrors she helped create.

Riefenstahl starts as an academic exercise, meticulously sifting through vast material to deliver an evidence-based exploration of one of Germany’s most influential figures. In practice, it’s a captivating and thrilling example of how diligent research can pay off. Such rigorous work could come across as tedious, but Riefenstahl is nothing short of a marvel.

Source: The Daily Beast