Riefenstahl

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Riefenstahl

1h 55m

Documentary

History

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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.

Andreas Veiel

Director

Andres Veiel

Director

Ulrich Noethen

Narrator

Heinrich Breloer

Self

Leni Riefenstahl

Self

Andreas Veiel

Writer

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

The film-maker flits over many corners of a long life. His main focus is, however, on Riefenstahl’s tireless efforts to distance herself from the appalling crimes and crackpot philosophies of the regime.

Rated: 4/5

May 10, 2025

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

This documentary wants to get to the truth. But even if you’ve already made your own mind up -- I had! -- it’s still a mesmerising portrait of the kind of person who cannot give up on the lies they’ve told themselves.

May 8, 2025

Full Review

David Sexton

New Statesman

The approach sounds stultifying, but this is a riveting watch, a masterclass in how to animate such material through inventive treatment. Montage and cross-cutting are always effective in documentaries, but Riefenstahl goes much further.

May 7, 2025

Full Review

Pedro Gallego

Espinof

'Riefenstahl' tries to escape unscathed as a film in its attempt to lack a central plot, but still have plenty of insight to dig deeper. It succeeds just enough...[Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Aug 14, 2025

Full Review

Elsa Fernández-Santos

El Pais (Spain)

[Leni Riefenstahl,] the woman who created the visual epic of Nazism, the Wicked Witch of cinema history, is one of those odious characters who, like her films, is fascinating. [Full review in Spanish]

Aug 4, 2025

Full Review

Guillem Martinez Oya

Cinematismo

Who and what do the images serve? Can images be re-signified? As a filmmaker, can you detach yourself from the implications of your creations? [Full review in Spanish]

Aug 3, 2025

Full Review

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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