2024-11-02 12:00:00
Simple Riefenstahl is the name of the documentary now showing in cinemas. The name is heavily burdened: Nazi, propaganda filmmaker, but also a talented director and exceptional photographer. Producer and TV presenter Sandra Maischberger has been interested in Leni Riefenstahl since an interview with the 100-year-old in 2002. In 2016, their estate went to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Maischberger acquired the rights for the documentary processing and brought director Andres Veiel on board. Much leaves the material in Riefenstahl talk and structure it into strong theses, such as the one that Hitler’s propaganda filmmaker was indirectly responsible for a mass shooting during the war. The television and audio recordings that reveal Riefenstahl’s unreasonable attitude in the post-war period are particularly exciting. The film paints the picture of a talented but extremely vain fascist.
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**Interview with Sandra Maischberger on the Documentary “Riefenstahl”**
**Interviewer:** Sandra, your documentary “Riefenstahl” delves into the complex legacy of Leni Riefenstahl. What motivated you to take on this subject matter?
**Sandra Maischberger:** My interest in Leni Riefenstahl began with an interview I conducted with her when she turned 100. It was a time when she was both revered and reviled, and I was fascinated by the contradictions of her character. As I explored her life and work, I realized that her talent as a filmmaker and photographer cannot be divorced from her role in Nazi propaganda. This duality is something we wanted to present with nuance in our documentary.
**Interviewer:** The film suggests that Riefenstahl’s propaganda was indirectly responsible for a mass shooting during the war. How do you think this thesis will resonate with audiences today?
**Sandra Maischberger:** It’s a challenging thesis, one that can provoke strong reactions. The idea that art and propaganda can influence real-world violence is a heavy one. I hope it sparks a debate about the responsibility of artists and filmmakers. Are they merely creators, or do they have a duty to consider the implications of their work? I think this is an especially relevant conversation in our current media landscape.
**Interviewer:** The documentary also showcases Riefenstahl’s post-war attitude through television and audio recordings. What impact do you believe this will have on the audience’s perception of her?
**Sandra Maischberger:** Those recordings are critical. They reveal her refusal to take responsibility for her past actions or to acknowledge the horrors associated with them. This stark arrogance challenges the audience to grapple with their own perceptions of morality within artistry. It raises the question: can we appreciate a creator’s work while condemning their actions? That’s a point of contention I hope viewers will explore.
**Interviewer:** Given Riefenstahl’s infamous association with Nazism, do you think there’s a risk of romanticizing her in the film?
**Sandra Maischberger:** That’s a valid concern, and one we took very seriously. Our goal was to portray her as a complex individual, but not to glorify her. By presenting her talents alongside the atrocities linked to her work, we aim to foster a critical examination rather than a romanticized narrative.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how do you think “Riefenstahl” fits into the broader conversation about art and ethics today?
**Sandra Maischberger:** The film invites viewers to reconsider their definitions of art and morality. If we see Riefenstahl as both a remarkable artist and a propagandist, can we still engage with her work in a meaningful way? I hope this documentary challenges people to think about how we reconcile artistic genius with ethical failure. It’s a debate that is both timeless and urgent.
**Interviewer:** That’s certainly a thought-provoking stance. Readers, what do you think? Can an artist’s talent ever excuse their moral failings? Share your thoughts below!
