Andres Veiel’s revelatory, deep-diving documentary on infamous Nazi propaganda filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl makes a strong case the Hitler-loved director of Triumph des Willens and Olympia cannot be viewed in isolation from nazism.

For over fifty years, the German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl (1902-2003) battled fiercely to shed the Nazi propaganda stain that clung to her groundbreaking cinematic works, Triumph of the Will and Olympia. To Riefenstahl, these films were about beauty, labor, and peace—not politics. This view, however, was not shared by critics like Susan Sontag, nor by documentarian Andres Veiel, who delved into Riefenstahl’s extensive personal archive—comprising 700 boxes.

Veiel’s exhaustive research unearthed a treasure trove of startling revelations, including a letter lauding Hitler, accusations of assault by propaganda minister Goebbels, contentious talk show appearances, and dubious moments when she believed the interview cameras were off. With a deluge of quotes from and about Riefenstahl, the documentary paints a portrait of a woman who maintained a firm grip on the narrative of her life. While Veiel hints at deceit, he ultimately leaves the final judgment to the audience. This film offers a provocative and compelling exploration of Riefenstahl’s complex legacy, revealing layers of her controversial and enigmatic persona.