Leni Riefenstahl: The Seduction of Genius (Propaganda! Studies in Modern Political Communication)

Leni Riefenstahl achieved fame as a dancer, actress, photographer, and director, but her entire career is colored by her association with the Nazi party. Appointed by Hitler, she directed the Nazi propaganda film Triumph des Willens along with her best-known work Olympia, a documentary of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. By 1939 Riefenstahl was arguably the most famous woman film director in the world; yet, after World War II, she was never again accepted as a filmmaker.Rainer Rother's book provides detailed coverage, from original documentation, of those aspects of Riefenstahl's career she herself has attempted to sanitize. It is a remarkable account of the fascinating life and work of Germany's most controversial photographer and filmmaker.Leni Riefenstahl, one hundred years old in 2002, is one of the most important and controversial filmmakers of the twentieth century. This powerful translation of Rainer Rother's acclaimed exploration of her life focuses both on Riefenstahl the woman and Riefenstahl the director. Although admired by such greats as Walt Disney, Charlie Chaplin, and Andy Warhol, Riefenstahl's achievements are clouded by her association with Nazi Germany and the Third Reich. This overt tension between the political meaning of her work for National Socialism and its essential aesthetic quality forms the basis of this compelling account. MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict Contents 6 Translator's Preface 9 Acknowledgements 10 Introduction: The Problem with Leni Riefenstahl 12 Part One: The Talent 20 2 Beginnings 22 Overcompensation 22 The First Performance 24 An Intimation of New Grandeur in Dance 29 Her First Leading Role 33 Struggles in Snow and Ice 38 3 The Film Auteur Emerges 43 Two Interpretations of the Same Story 43 Das blaue Licht 46 Part Two: The Genius of Nazi Filmmaking 54 4 A New Kind of Film: Sieg des Glaubens 56 Behind the Scenes of the First Party Rally Film 57 A Party Commission: New Quality 62 Stylization and 'Spontaneity' 65 5 The Auteur of Nazi Filmmaking 70 The Story of the 'Movement' 72 The Party Rally Film - A Historical Document? 74 The Party Rally Narrative 75 The Film Auteur 83 Tag der Freiheit 85 6 The Best Sports Film of All Time 88 Storming to the Summit 89 A Commission 92 The Political Significance of an 'Unpolitical' Film 94 Sports and Suspense 115 7 The Function of the Genius 118 Travel Diplomacy 118 Stylized Events and 'Heroic Reportages' 121 Studio Facilities for Leni Riefenstahl 126 Part Three: Deprived of Power 132 8 A Partial Retreat: Tiefland 134 A Substitute for the Pet Project 136 A New Look at Familiar Territory 142 9 The Return of the Outcast 146 Scandalmongers and Court Cases 146 Relative Innocence 149 Extras from the Camp 152 The Massacre at Konskie 154 Symbolic Guilt 160 10 Projects 163 Repeating the Past 163 Africa 168 11 Legal Questions and the Question of Tact 175 Legal Claims 175 A Verdict 179 According to the Files . . . 180 12 A Renaissance - But No Rehabilitation 187 In the Public Eye 187 Towards Cult Status 194 13 In Conclusion: A Change of Persona 204 Notes 227 Appendices 266 Chronology 266 Filmography 276 Bibliography 286 Index 300 A 300 B 300 C 300 D 301 E 301 F 301 G 302 H 302 I 302 J 302 K 302 L 302 M 303 N 303 O 303 P 303 R 304 S 305 T 305 U 305 W 305 X 305 Leni Riefenstahl, Who Will Be One Hundred Years Old In 2002, Is One Of The Most Important And Controversial Film-makers Of The Twentieth Century. This Translation Of Rainer Rother's Exploration Of Her Life Focuses On Both Riefenstahl The Woman And Riefenstahl The Director. Although She Was Admired By Such Greats As Walt Disney, Charlie Chaplin And Andy Warhol, Riefenstahl's Achievements Have Been Clouded By The Fact That She Operated Within The Context Of Nazi Germany And Was Inextricably Linked With The Third Reich.--book Jacket.title Summary Field Provided By Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Leni Riefenstahl, who will be one hundred years old in 2002, is one of the most important and controversial film-makers of the twentieth century. This translation of Rainer Rother's exploration of her life focuses on both Riefenstahl the woman and Riefenstahl the director. Although she was admired by such greats as Walt Disney, Charlie Chaplin and Andy Warhol, Riefenstahl's achievements have been clouded by the fact that she operated within the context of Nazi Germany and was inextricably linked with the Third Reich.

Leni Riefenstahl achieved fame as a dancer, actress, photographer and director, but her entire career is coloured by her association with the Nazis. Using original documentation, this book looks at Riefenstahl's life, work and politics.