Riefenstahl

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Riefenstahl

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1h 55m

Documentary

History

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43 Reviews

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Filmmaker and Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl is considered one of the most controversial women of the 20th century. Her films Triumph of the Will and Olympia are defined by their fascist aesthetics, perfectly-staged body worship, and the celebration of all that is "superior" and victorious, simultaneously projecting contempt for the imperfect and weak. But Riefenstahl -- who first broke into the German film industry as an actress -- spent decades after the war denying her association with Nazi ideology, and claiming ignorance of the Holocaust. How did she become the Reich's preeminent filmmaker if she was just a hired hand? Riefenstahl examines this question using never-before-seen documents from Leni Riefenstahl's estate, including private films, photos, recordings and letters, uncovering fragments of her biography and placing them in an extended historical context. During her long life after the fall of Nazism, she remained unapologetic, managing to control and shape her legacy; in personal documents, she mourns her "murdered ideals." Meanwhile, her work would experience a renaissance, gaining esteem for its masterful technical skill. Today, Riefenstahl's aesthetics are more present than ever. Is that also true for their message? In an era where fascism is on the rise again, fake news is prevalent, and the meaning of political imagery is constantly dissected and debated, Andres Veiel's mesmerizing new film shows that Leni Reifenstahl is more relevant than ever.

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Zachary Barnes

Wall Street Journal

Mr. Veiel has performed a remarkable feat of archival spelunking, piecing together a documentary portrait that is measured in tone and damning in effect.

Sep 4, 2025

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Manohla Dargis

New York Times

In his coolly damning documentary “Riefenstahl,” the German filmmaker Andres Veiel joins a persistent cohort of skeptics and detractors who have long challenged Riefenstahl’s self-serving identity as an innocent artist.

Sep 4, 2025

Full Review

Eli Friedberg

Slant Magazine

If there’s still anyone uncritically repeating Riefenstahl’s narrative of naïveté, they’ll find it hard to sustain by the end credits.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 31, 2025

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Ryan Silberstein

MovieJawn

The art reveals the artist, and Leni Riefenstahl’s art reveals that her attraction to fascist ideals was a lifelong one. While there is certainly stunning imagery in her films, perhaps now we can finally leave her where she belongs, in history’s dust bin.

Sep 8, 2025

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Tony Medley

tonymedley.com

...a fascinating film about a woman of whom many have heard, but few have known.

Rated: 9/10

Sep 8, 2025

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Ethan J. Rosenberg

In Review Online

Riefenstahl is insufficient as history, and it rarely develops a thesis outside... wagging its finger with the moral sophistication of a Social Studies student writing an overdue essay.

Sep 6, 2025

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uncledonnienyc

Amazing documentary dealing with a fascinating subject Definitely will be nominated for an oscar

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

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Stephen C

Real footage in 1 hour and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/05/25

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Andreas Veiel

Director

Andres Veiel

Director

Ulrich Noethen

Narrator

Andreas Veiel

Writer

Sandra Maischberger

Producer

Andres Veiel

Screenwriter

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Riefenstahl: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Filmmaker and Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl is considered one of the most controversial women of the 20th century. Her films Triumph of the Will and Olympia are defined by their fascist aesthetics, perfectly-staged body worship, and the celebration of all that is "superior" and victorious, simultaneously projecting contempt for the imperfect and weak. But Riefenstahl -- who first broke into the German film industry as an actress -- spent decades after the war denying her association with Nazi ideology, and claiming ignorance of the Holocaust. How did she become the Reich's preeminent filmmaker if she was just a hired hand? Riefenstahl examines this question using never-before-seen documents from Leni Riefenstahl's estate, including private films, photos, recordings and letters, uncovering fragments of her biography and placing them in an extended historical context. During her long life after the fall of Nazism, she remained unapologetic, managing to control and shape her legacy; in personal documents, she mourns her "murdered ideals." Meanwhile, her work would experience a renaissance, gaining esteem for its masterful technical skill. Today, Riefenstahl's aesthetics are more present than ever. Is that also true for their message? In an era where fascism is on the rise again, fake news is prevalent, and the meaning of political imagery is constantly dissected and debated, Andres Veiel's mesmerizing new film shows that Leni Reifenstahl is more relevant than ever.

Director: Andreas Veiel, Andres Veiel
Producer: Sandra Maischberger
Screenwriter: Andreas Veiel, Andres Veiel
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Production Co: Vincent Productions, RBB, WDR, SWR, Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), NDR
Genre: Documentary, History
Original Language: German
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 5, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 21, 2025
Runtime: 1h 55m

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