Riefenstahl

★★★★★ “A brilliantly disturbing portrait” – The Times

★★★★★ The Telegraph

★★★★★ “Extraordinary” – The Guardian

This incredibly powerful documentary will have you shaking your head in disbelief, enthralled in dark, questioning, fascination at Riefenstahl’s legacy and her latter denial and response on the topic of her role in Nazi Germany. It is the first in this season’s Colour & Light strand and is well worth the watch. Looking back at the life and work of the Nazi’s foremost film and photography propagandist, Leni Riefenstahl, via a historical lense draws forward fascinating conversations regarding the arts and artists. Riefenstahl is considered one of the most controversial women of the 20th century in the arts.

Using documents from Riefenstahl’s estate, including private films, photos, recordings and letters the film uncovers uncomfortable truths and places them in an extended historical context. As the Reich’s pre-eminent filmmaker how did she keep denying any closer ties to Hitler and Goebbels and what does that mean for artists today?