Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Ross (A) on July 31, 2017 at 19:08:07

In Reply to: RE: "Race." Jessie Owens and the 1936 Nazi Olympics. posted by free.ranger on July 25, 2017 at 21:10:57

Avery Brundage was antisemetic and disliked blacks. While he was a promoter of the "Olympic Movement" in the US, and around the world, he was more interested in promoting the superiority of white Christians against Jews and Communists. He later worked to prevent the exclusion of So Africa and Rhodesia against international pressure concerning Apartheid. He expressed admiration for Germany, and later in life married a German Princess. He emigrated to Germany in retirement.

Leni Reifenstahl never truly regretted her activities in promoting the propaganda images of a triumphant 3rd Reich. She said all the right things later, but never answered the question of whether or not she would have participated if she knew the truth. She maintained all along that she focused on her Art, and the Govt provided the patronage that was necessary to her. She claimed to be oblivious to everything else. History has been very kind to her, preferring to focus on her (considerable) artistic influence, rather than on her complicity in promoting a genocidal regime. I say this as someone who appreciates her unique artistic gifts, and can see her influence in contemporary photography.