Helene Bertha Amalie "Leni" Riefenstahl

 If you are interested in documentary filmmaking, I have two films you must see.

Leni Riefenstahl was a film director, producer, photographer and an actor. She is well known for her documentary films during the 1930s promoting for the Nazi's, Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich.

The films she produced and directed the most effective and technically innovative propaganda films ever made, "Triumph of the Wills", and Olympia pt 1 and pt 2. 

These films brought her worldwide attention and acclaim.

Riefenstahl was a pioneer in the use of camera angles, lighting and editing techniques. Her work has had a lasting impact on the film industry and her techniques are still studied and admired in the industry today.

Her involvement in "Triumph of the Wills" significantly damaged her career and reputation. 

After WW2 Riefenstahl was arrested and found to be a Nazi "fellow traveller", but was not charged with war crimes.

"Triumph des Willens" (Triumph of the Wills 1935)

"Olympia 1938"

Now maybe you have a better understanding of what the "crook is"we discussed in class.  

Leni, like Bo-Peep carried a crook to lead sheep around too.