The author Steven Bach in his book “The Life and Work
of Leni Riefenstahl” writes about Leni Riefenstahl, and one of the most
controversial figures of our time. She worked for Hitler and believed that her
work is unlike the work of other people who worked for him. Hitler lead his
people in his walk and then onto his over lasting life. Leni’s words convince
anyone to have an entirely different feeling of those who work for Hitler. In addition, she reveals that being an
employee of Hitler didn't change her into his character.
It is a great opportunity to watch and listen a
documentary of Leni’s words where she publicly declares that she is not a
propagandist or politically inclined but simply an artist. How do we view her
action? Is it wrong? Leni says that “she simply performed her duty.
She was capable to answer to everyone the question of
her work of Hitler, but would not do so because of the system then. Today, she
would answer the same question to anyone.
It is irritating to watch and listen to such an intelligent
woman who worked for such a crude person since she was with Hitler at any hour
he needed her. But if she is apart of Hitler we would have a hard time
separating that her work does not have the same purpose of Hitler’s work.
Hitler is believed as the worst man in the universe
which is not like anything else we know. Leni’s words make everyone to believe
more in her work that one day it will be discussed and appreciated by us. Her
films and work seem to make the world and all it’s an art and not as the
propaganda.
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Leni’s work makes everyone believe that there are
rights and wrongs and that our choices are sometimes good and bad. People by
having the desire to do the right things sometimes view it as wrong and they
eventually don’t fail but succeed as Leni did. In this documentary she makes an
interesting point that you should love your work and enjoy what you do.
Moreover, the author Steven Bach talks about Leni’s
morality which is seen in several issues. She was not only Hitler’s employee
but one who sometimes satisfied his sexual desires. Hitler didn’t only take an
interest in her work but also her appearance. I am particularly gracious in the
way Leni explains her work. She had a hard life especially in war times and
that she found comfort only with her work as an artist in her faith
whole-heartedly.
I don’t know if by watching this documentary others
will make her a better person, even though, I hope so. But, I feel that I am closer in my
understanding in certain areas of her work for Hitler. I would have never been
able to understand her work if this was not in this documentary.
It is first, I have to watch and have to listen to both
Leni’s reveals and Steven's opinions two and three times just to grasp the
concept of truth. One of Leni’s statements is when she went to the court and
signed “I regret for the Jews”. She seems very critical and lengthy of her
work. I realize that Leni and the author Steven are intellectual gentlemen.
They made her work not to sound dirty, deceitful and wrong.
I enjoy Leni and the author Steven Bach even though
they made me go into Nazis’ terror and I accepted just because I had been told
over and over in the past. Today I have substantial evidence to back certain
opinions up.
Yes, Leni is wonderful and everything she gives us is wonderful. Besides, the author Steven seems that he can
lead a life that gives back to Leni since he has given so much to her. The only
strength of his was how well he supports his opinions about Leni. He would state a point, explain and then use
facts and stories to make us understand how this fits in both Leni and his
work.
Ardiana Xhafa
B/Journalist
U.S.A
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