Riefenstahl

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Riefenstahl

2025

1h 55m

Documentary

History

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Popcornmeter

97%

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65 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Filmmaker and Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl is considered one of the most controversial women of the 20th century. Her films Triumph of the Will and Olympia are defined by their fascist aesthetics, perfectly-staged body worship, and the celebration of all that is "superior" and victorious, simultaneously projecting contempt for the imperfect and weak. But Riefenstahl -- who first broke into the German film industry as an actress -- spent decades after the war denying her association with Nazi ideology, and claiming ignorance of the Holocaust. How did she become the Reich's preeminent filmmaker if she was just a hired hand? Riefenstahl examines this question using never-before-seen documents from Leni Riefenstahl's estate, including private films, photos, recordings and letters, uncovering fragments of her biography and placing them in an extended historical context. During her long life after the fall of Nazism, she remained unapologetic, managing to control and shape her legacy; in personal documents, she mourns her "murdered ideals." Meanwhile, her work would experience a renaissance, gaining esteem for its masterful technical skill. Today, Riefenstahl's aesthetics are more present than ever. Is that also true for their message? In an era where fascism is on the rise again, fake news is prevalent, and the meaning of political imagery is constantly dissected and debated, Andres Veiel's mesmerizing new film shows that Leni Reifenstahl is more relevant than ever.

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Critics Consensus

Organizing a treasure trove of archival materials with impressive intellectual rigor, director Andres Veiel's documentary methodically dismantles Leni Riefenstahl's self-mythologizing to offer an historically clear-eyed assessment of her legacy.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

Dec 31, 2025

It's an incredible piece of editing... Laid out as it is, you see all the contradictions.

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Kat Sachs

Chicago Reader

Sep 23, 2025

To be frank, I would have appreciated more of a focus on Riefenstahl as a filmmaker, as in my mind her complicity isn’t something anyone needs to prove—it seems quite obvious.

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Robert Daniels

RogerEbert.com

Sep 19, 2025

3.5/4

By making a film that says there is no complicated legacy to Riefenstahl, Veiel’s uncomplicated approach, supported by Riefenstahl’s own words, is strongly rendered into a direct, inarguable slashing of Riefenstahl’s importance.

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André Didyme-Dôme

Rolling Stone en Español

Sep 11, 2026

Veiel presents a nuanced portrait of a brilliant and controversial woman who transformed cinematic language but was also deeply ingrained in her ties to Hitler. [Full review in Spanish]

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Lee Jutton

Film Inquiry

Jan 13, 2026

Riefenstahl should be the last word on its subject—not just because it is the definitive one, but also because it is the last one we need. She doesn’t deserve any more.

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Stephen A. Russell

Orion's Shoulder (Substack)

Dec 31, 2025

Andres Veiel’s searing takedown of megalomaniacal Hitler’s propaganda-spinner of choice, Leni Riefenstahl, does precisely what any great prosecutor does: hangs her by her own words.

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uncledonnienyc

Sep 6, 2025

Amazing documentary dealing with a fascinating subject Definitely will be nominated for an oscar

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David F

@dfulmer 6 days ago

This documentary recounts the career of the noted filmmaker and asks the tough questions about art, politics, complicity, and awareness.

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Leonardo M

@lmotta Aug 9, 2026

My main issue with this documentary is that it does not bring anything new about Riefenstahl. It perpetuates some allegations, but it does not bring any new evidence. For example, when it examines whether there is proof she saw executions during the filming of one of her movies, all the documentary was able to show was that there were rumors that this had happened. I actually prefer DW reports on Riefenstahl's life and work. This movie could have been just 20 min of content.

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acsdoug D

@acsdoug Apr 22, 2026

If it's possible to say that Leni Riefenstahl is one of the most interesting women of the 20th century without being tarred as a Nazi sympathizer then that's what I say.

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Jarod H.

@JustJarod Mar 8, 2026

Incredible film on the human condition. Lies, manipulation, regret, self preservation. This film explores it all and leaves the audience the opportunity to make a decision. Can art and atrocity be separate spheres? Leni Riefenstahl sure felt that way. Now this film let's us sit in discomfort to reconcile talent that was used to promote evil. I have never seen a film that posed such serious reflection for a viewer to ponder.

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Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Feb 6, 2026

I learned a lot from this documentary and there is a lot of compelling moments, but I grew tired of it after 60 minutes.

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Andreas Veiel

Director

Andres Veiel

Director

Ulrich Noethen

Narrator

Andreas Veiel

Writer

Sandra Maischberger

Producer

Andres Veiel

Screenwriter

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Riefenstahl: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Filmmaker and Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl is considered one of the most controversial women of the 20th century. Her films Triumph of the Will and Olympia are defined by their fascist aesthetics, perfectly-staged body worship, and the celebration of all that is "superior" and victorious, simultaneously projecting contempt for the imperfect and weak. But Riefenstahl -- who first broke into the German film industry as an actress -- spent decades after the war denying her association with Nazi ideology, and claiming ignorance of the Holocaust. How did she become the Reich's preeminent filmmaker if she was just a hired hand? Riefenstahl examines this question using never-before-seen documents from Leni Riefenstahl's estate, including private films, photos, recordings and letters, uncovering fragments of her biography and placing them in an extended historical context. During her long life after the fall of Nazism, she remained unapologetic, managing to control and shape her legacy; in personal documents, she mourns her "murdered ideals." Meanwhile, her work would experience a renaissance, gaining esteem for its masterful technical skill. Today, Riefenstahl's aesthetics are more present than ever. Is that also true for their message? In an era where fascism is on the rise again, fake news is prevalent, and the meaning of political imagery is constantly dissected and debated, Andres Veiel's mesmerizing new film shows that Leni Reifenstahl is more relevant than ever.

Director: Andreas Veiel, Andres Veiel
Producer: Sandra Maischberger
Screenwriter: Andreas Veiel, Andres Veiel
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Production Co: Vincent Productions, RBB, WDR, SWR, Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), NDR
Genre: Documentary, History
Original Language: German
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 5, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 21, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $133.3K
Runtime: 1h 55m

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