Nazi Propagandist Leni Riefenstahl included in Oscars tribute.

[oxymoron]

I was very surprised to see images from Leni Riefenstahl's films included in the "In Memoriam" segment at the Oscars. Her place in film history is undeniable, however her work for Hitler overshadowed her technical and artistic accomplishments. Her documentary masterpiece, "Olympia" was filmed at the 1936 Olympics and was lavishly financed by the Nazi's. Her films are revered by many in the Neo-Nazi movement. She died last year at 101.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leni_Riefenstahl

http://www.leni-riefenstahl.de/eng/index.html

[dsc]

1. Her politics stank

but her film making didn't. She was a genius and deserved the recognition. Otherwise people on the right could do that to leftists they didn't like.

[oxymoron]

3. I agree.

I guess what surprised me was that the Academy had the balls to include her.

[unblock]

5. the right would/could/does do that anyway

the right does not brake for hypocrisy.

[dsc]

12. that doesn't give us licence to be hypocrites

Both she and Griffith were talented film makers, so was Kazan for that matter. Even Gibson is fairly talented though not in their league. But their politics all stink up the joint. The Oscars honor film making, which is why such louses as Polanski and Chaplin also get statues.

[BigBigBear]

2. I studied Riefenstahl in high school

She was a remarkable filmmaker, undeniable.

I suspect the neo-Nazis worship the content of her propaganda films rather than the craft, but I'm not sure how hard I would argue the distinction to someone uncomfortable with her place in the history of 20th century filmmaking.

[DenverDem]

4. She was forced to make Olympia.

That she did a masterful job should not damn her. I studied her work in film school and her techniques are archetypes for filmakers who have gone after her.

[Djinn]

6. was she forced?

from my (admittedly limited) knowledge she defended her work and the Nazi's until the day she died.

If there is a hell - I think she's there

[pagerbear]

16. Ever see the documentary

about her? It suggests her story is that she was only doing a job and didn't know everything about Hitler's regime.

[mobuto]

13. Forced?

Riefenstahl was a Nazi and an enabler of Adolf Hitler's. That she was a tremendous film-maker does not excuse the fact that she was a running dog of the most evil regime in human history.

But I guess to you, Adolf Hitler is, like Osama bin Laden (whom you call a creation of "Amerika"), simply "misunderstood."

[Djinn]

15. careful mobuto

I don't think he/she ever said Osama was misunderstood in the thread I presume you're referring to - some people may get a little pissed off with you distorting their words like that - particularly when you don't give the thread link so folk can see for themselves...people have been pulled for less offensive distortions

[Kathy in Cambridge]

7. "Triumph of the Will" was a cinematic masterpiece

She was a talented filmmaker. Her politics stank.

Elia Kazan was a great filmmaker who testified during the McCarthy Era and got people blacklisted. "On the Waterfront" and "Streetcar Named Desire" were masterpieces. Kazan never apologized for what he did.

[AngryAmish]

8. The Academy clapped...

and you watched.

[Bridget Burke]

11. The applause died down considerably....

Once people realized the Leni was next in the list of the deceased.

But since you were too cool to watch, you didn't know.

[SmileyBoy]

9. I see the parallels with D.W. Griffith.

A great filmmaker, but again, the politics...

[corporatewhore]

10. she was a brilliant film maker but her politics stank

[phoebe]

14. I was not surprised. Forgive me, but "Hollywood" grabs on to

anything that brings the Holocaust to our attention at every chance it gets - just think back over the years of awards and you might know what I'm talking about and yet, just last year (?)a film made by Palestinians was barred from entry into any of the categories.

If the truth be told, a large percentage of what is viewed, either on television or on film equates to some form of propaganda - some so subtle that many viewers just aren't aware of it and of course, there's quite a bit that has no subtlety whatsoever...