Riefenstahl

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Riefenstahl

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1h 55m

Documentary

History

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97%

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60 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

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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Kat Sachs

Chicago Reader

To be frank, I would have appreciated more of a focus on Riefenstahl as a filmmaker, as in my mind her complicity isn’t something anyone needs to prove—it seems quite obvious.

Sep 23, 2025

Full Review

Robert Daniels

RogerEbert.com

By making a film that says there is no complicated legacy to Riefenstahl, Veiel’s uncomplicated approach, supported by Riefenstahl’s own words, is strongly rendered into a direct, inarguable slashing of Riefenstahl’s importance.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 19, 2025

Full Review

Dmitry Samarov

Chicago Reader

Andres Veiel paints a complex and contradictory portrait.

Sep 18, 2025

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John Paul King

Washington Blade

Riefenstahl weaves a hypnotic effect that makes its two-hour runtime drift by like a dream, but there’s a meticulous logic and a rigorous empiricism to it all that crystallizes the facts in a way that’s entirely rational...

Oct 6, 2025

Full Review

Neely Swanson

Beverly Hills Courier

Diving into previously unavailable material makes this an important, must-see film, deconstructing the mask she so carefully fabricated after the war.

Sep 24, 2025

Full Review

Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

The argument that Veiel makes in 'Riefenstahl' is certainly not new, but his presentation has a comprehensiveness that’s impressive, especially in terms of the inclusion of materials that have become available only recently.

Rated: B

Sep 22, 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

Full Review

Doug J

It is like thumbing through a scrapbook. The visuals in the clips are interesting, but there is very little commentary. In the end, you are left to make up your own mind about the character based on viewing the clips. There were so many things I wanted to know. Like how did she get into filmmaking? The archival material is interesting and it’s easy to form an opinion based on watching it, but I could’ve used more factual information to back up my opinion forming..

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/18/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Real footage in 1 hour and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $109,300.00!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/04/25

Full Review

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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): $116.7K
Runtime: 1h 55m

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