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In Reply to: Leni Reifenstahl's Triumph of the Will posted by maldar on July 28, 2000 at 13:05:11:
Her work is fascinating, isn't it. I've seen both the Nuremburg Rally & 1936 Olympics films, the bio-documentary made a few years ago, and one of her "mountain" films (can't remember the title). The films she made for the National Socialist party are the most interesting.I think the spellbinding aura of her films is due to the fact that they exceed our expectations of the genre, even though we somehow hope they will be flawed. Obvious propaganda can be shunned, derided, or coldly analysed as a mere curiosity (something those terrible people did, but oh, of course terribly banal and transparent to our modern critical gaze) but her films are so professional and groundbreaking that one can't help but admire them. Rather like Hitchcock's common device of making us feel sympathetic towards the villain. Whether she was a committed nazi or just a filmmaker fulfilling a commission one thing is certain - she believed passionately in her works and poured all her creative soul into them.
I think what sets her propaganda/documentaries apart from other such films is the tremendous sense of their own truth which they present. The Nuremburg Rally documentary in particular uses symbolism and cinematography of enormous, sweeping grandeur. This is no cheap piece of propaganda presenting banal or offensive images - it is more like a mythic spectacle - Siegfried performed by a cast of thousands and couducted by a maestro - the only problem was that Siegfried was played by Hitler.
TG, thanks for the excellent follow up. I plan on collecting as many of the Reifenstahl films as I can. I think the mountain climbing footage is in The Blue Light. I've only had a chance to see Triumph of the Will. It's easy to see how the German people fell under the spell of Adolf Hitler and the NSDAP. The magnitude of the rallies must have been simply overwhelming for those who attended - like a combination of a political caucus, sporting event and religious ceremony. The footage of Hilter addressing the masses was so captivating and powerful - like a hypnotic drug. It's almost surreal in a way, but considering what's going on in modern politics, it doesn't suprise me that a man like Hitler rose to power. - maldar
***The footage of Hilter addressing the masses was so captivating and powerful - like a hypnotic drug. It's almost surreal in a way, but considering what's going on in modern politics, it doesn't suprise me that a man like Hitler rose to power. - maldarOK, but don't forget another extremely important element of this reaction - the humiliated, depressed Germany was looking for someone like him at that moment in its history. The sum of the two had exceeded the critical mass.
Good point. I realize that the aftermath of WWI and the terms imposed on Germany coupled with economic hardships helped set the stage for groups like the Thule Society, the NSDAP and Hitler to emerge. Also, the National Socialist Party doctrines were more than just politics, it was an attempt to create a holy order - a religion based upon the genetic purity of Aryan blood. You know what really scares me? When I hear terms like "new world order" coming from the mouth of a well known political figure, then seeing this phrase printed on T-shirts worn by people who watch a wrestling program funded by Ted Turner. Most people can't see what's happening - conditioning people to accept the idea of a one world government or corporate police state. And what about genetic engineering? It has all been done before and I'm sure you can guess where it comes from - a frightening thought. - maldar
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