The wonderful, horrible life of Leni Riefenstahl

This documentary is a portrait of the German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl. The film covers her career from the 1920’s to today at age 91. Included in this portrait are director Ray Müller recent interviews with Ms. Riefenstahl as well as footage from her movies and historical archival material.The film begins by tracing Ms. Riefenstahl’s short career as an interpretive dancer and then as an actress. Her directing debut was with the film DAS BLAUE LICHT. The portrait contains lengthy discussion and examination of Riefenstahl’s films which made for the NAZI party, as well as her award winning 1936 Olympic film, OLYMPIA.In addition, her work after WWII as photographer is reviewed. Her photography essay of the Nuba tribe in Sudan and footage from her stay there are shown and examined. Our documentary ends with footage from her new project in the Maldives –an underwater film which she is doing now at age 91.The film was broadcast on the channel ARTE in two parts of 90 minutes each. Therefore we submit for INPUT only part I of 90 minutes. The second part will be available “On Demand”.