The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl (DVD)

UPC: 738329010720

Product Features

• Title: The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl
• Director: Ray Muller
• Format: DVD
• Audio: German (with subtitles)
• Running Time: Part 1: 96 minutes, Part 2: 92 minutes
• Aspect Ratio: Standard
• Language: German with English subtitles
• Region: 1 (NTSC)
• Release Year: 1993
• Color/B&W: Both color and black-and-white footage
• Publisher: Kino Video

Overview

The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl, directed by Ray Muller, is a critically acclaimed documentary that explores the controversial life and work of German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl. Known for her role in creating Nazi propaganda films like Triumph of the Will, Riefenstahl's career and personal legacy have been deeply intertwined with her association with the Third Reich. In this documentary, she speaks openly on camera for the first time about her past, offering an in-depth look at her career and personal life.

At 91 years old, Riefenstahl reflects on her turbulent history, from her work in early German cinema to her later documentaries and photography. Her story is a complex and gripping tale of art, politics, and morality, presented with rare footage and interviews with Riefenstahl herself. The film takes viewers on a journey through her extraordinary, often controversial life, touching on both her artistic triumphs and her role in shaping Nazi propaganda.

Interesting Facts

• Leni Riefenstahl was a pioneer in filmmaking, celebrated for her technical innovations in film editing and camera work, particularly in Triumph of the Will and Olympia.
• Although Riefenstahl claimed to have never been a member of the Nazi Party, her close association with Adolf Hitler and her work for the regime has made her one of the most controversial figures in film history.
• The documentary spans Riefenstahl's entire life, from her early days as an actress in German "mountain films" to her time photographing the Nuba tribes of Africa and her later passion for underwater photography.
• The New York Times hailed her as "one of the greatest women filmmakers ever," despite the ethical concerns surrounding her work during the Nazi era.
• The film received widespread critical acclaim, earning 2 Emmy Awards and nominations for 3 Golden Globes.

Reviews

• Richard Corliss, TIME: "A vital artistic event! One of the year's ten best."
• Georgia Brown, Village Voice: "Absolutely mesmerizing."
• Vincent Canby, The New York Times: "Riefenstahl takes the breath away... An astonishing record, consistently fascinating."
• Joan Juliet Buck, Vogue: "Staggering... The most fascinating, weirdly engaging monster ever recorded on film."

Publisher

• Produced by: Omega Film, Nomad Films, Channel Four, ZDF, ARTE
• Distributed by: Kino Video

Hashtags

#LeniRiefenstahl #Documentary #RayMuller #FilmHistory #GermanCinema #TriumphOfTheWill #OlympiaFilm #ControversialFigure #KinoVideo #HistoricalDocumentary