Triumph of the Will Essay
Propaganda:
"The systemic propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the views and interests of those advocating such a doctrine or cause; materials disseminated by the advocates or opponents of a doctrine or cause." American Heritage Dictionary|
The 1930s and 1940s, which saw the rise of totalitarian states and the Second World War, are arguably the "Golden Age of Propaganda". Nazi control of the German film industry, operated by the Reich Ministry for People 's Enlightenment and Propaganda headed by Joseph Goebbels is the most extreme example of the use of film in the service of a dictatorship. In this context the figure of Leni Riefenstahl, who was considered to be Adolf Hitler 's favorite film director, was one of the most discussed, criticized and celebrated, protagonist of a controversy that still today remains unsolved. This essay wants to be an analysis of her best-known propaganda movie, ' 'Triumph of the Will ' ', commissioned by Hitler to chronicle the 1934 Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg , and of the intentions behind its production.
Bertha Helene Amelie (Leni) Riefenstahl was born on August 22, 1902, in Berlin. From her earliest years she studied painting, but her first passion was the ballet. When, after a promising career as dancer, giving solo dance concerts in many European cities, at the age of 24 a knee injury forced her to bow out, Riefenstahl had the chances to start her career in the cinema industry debuting as actress in a series of mountain films directed by Arnold Franck. During this period she learned the filmmaking techniques that influenced her career as director, acquiring the ability to build the cinematic tension characteristic of ' 'Triumph of the Will ' '. In 1932 she made her first effort as independent filmmaker with ' 'The Blue Light ' ', a mountain film that showed her masterful sense of camera positioning and photography. During the production of the film Leni Riefenstahl read the Main Kampf,
"The systemic propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the views and interests of those advocating such a doctrine or cause; materials disseminated by the advocates or opponents of a doctrine or cause." American Heritage Dictionary|
The 1930s and 1940s, which saw the rise of totalitarian states and the Second World War, are arguably the "Golden Age of Propaganda". Nazi control of the German film industry, operated by the Reich Ministry for People 's Enlightenment and Propaganda headed by Joseph Goebbels is the most extreme example of the use of film in the service of a dictatorship. In this context the figure of Leni Riefenstahl, who was considered to be Adolf Hitler 's favorite film director, was one of the most discussed, criticized and celebrated, protagonist of a controversy that still today remains unsolved. This essay wants to be an analysis of her best-known propaganda movie, ' 'Triumph of the Will ' ', commissioned by Hitler to chronicle the 1934 Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg , and of the intentions behind its production.
Bertha Helene Amelie (Leni) Riefenstahl was born on August 22, 1902, in Berlin. From her earliest years she studied painting, but her first passion was the ballet. When, after a promising career as dancer, giving solo dance concerts in many European cities, at the age of 24 a knee injury forced her to bow out, Riefenstahl had the chances to start her career in the cinema industry debuting as actress in a series of mountain films directed by Arnold Franck. During this period she learned the filmmaking techniques that influenced her career as director, acquiring the ability to build the cinematic tension characteristic of ' 'Triumph of the Will ' '. In 1932 she made her first effort as independent filmmaker with ' 'The Blue Light ' ', a mountain film that showed her masterful sense of camera positioning and photography. During the production of the film Leni Riefenstahl read the Main Kampf,
Bibliography: -Filmguide to Triumph of the Will, Richard Meran Barsam, 1975, Indiana University press filmguide series. (book) -Fascinating Fascism, Susan Sontag, New York Review of Books February 6, 1975 (article/ book review) -The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl, Ray Müller, 1993 (documentary) -Propaganda As Vision: Triumph of The Will, Ken Kelman, Logos 2.4 – Fall 2003 (article) -Leni riefenstahl, filmmaker or propagandist? Ellen Cheshire, 2000. (essay) -Fhttp://mason.gmu.edu/~amcdonal/index.html 03-01-13 (website) -http://www.websteruniv.edu/ ~barrettb/riefenstahl.htm 03-01-13(website)