Riefenstahl

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Riefenstahl

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1h 55m

Documentary

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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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Critics Consensus

Organizing a treasure trove of archival materials with impressive intellectual rigor, director Andres Veiel's documentary methodically dismantles Leni Riefenstahl's self-mythologizing to offer an historically clear-eyed assessment of her legacy.

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

It answers Riefenstahl’s carefully chosen narrative, a fable of disillusioned purity, with an equally forensic counternarrative exposing her childlike narcissism about the impact of her talent.

Sep 15, 2025

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G. Allen Johnson

San Francisco Chronicle

It’s not just a meticulously researched portrait of a (like it or not) female filmmaking pioneer, but also a demonstration of how disinformation works on a mass scale. It’s Gaslighting 101.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 15, 2025

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Daniel Jonah Wolpert

NPR

Where Veiel's film locks itself into a loop of attempting to show just how much of a Nazi Leni Riefenstahl was, it falls short. However what is revealed beyond that is much more disturbing.

Sep 12, 2025

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Jeffrey Edalatpour

East Bay Express

With vast archival resources at his disposal, Veiel has constructed an eviscerating cinematic response to Leni Riefenstahl’s life and career as well as Ray Müller’s 1993 documentary, The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl.

Sep 16, 2025

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Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

The archival material is extraordinary in quantity, quality, and variety,...and the way Andres Veiel articulates it is also very interesting. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Sep 15, 2025

Full Review

Erik Reeds

Spectrum Culture

It’s difficult to say what Andres Veiel’s film really serves to prove beyond making a case against Leni Riefenstahl that has been presented by seemingly everyone for decades.

Sep 9, 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
Box Office (Gross USA): $60.6K
Runtime: 1h 55m

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