RIEFENSTAHL IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ARTHOUSE DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
The critically acclaimed documentary Riefenstahl, a nuanced examination of the notorious Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl, continues to sell internationally for Beta Cinema, while surpassing the milestone of 100,000 tickets sold in Germany. The film has now been acquired by Dogwoof for the UK and Ireland, Madman Entertainment for Australia and New Zealand, and Lev Cinemas for Israel.
Deals to North America (Kino Lorber), France (ARP), Spain (Filmin), Portugal (Midas Filmes), Scandinavia (Edge Entertainment), Benelux (Imagine), Poland (Against Gravity), Hungary (Cirko Film), former Yugoslavia (MCF), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Film Europe) and Japan (Longride Entertainment) had been announced earlier. Majestic is releasing the film in all German-speaking territories and Rai Cinema throughout Italy.
Directed by Andres Veiel and produced by Sandra Maischberger, Riefenstahl premiered at the Venice Film Festival, receiving the Cinema & Arts Award. The film was an official selection of the Telluride Film Festival, screened at the Zurich Film Festival, and opened the Film Festival in Cologne. In Germany, the documentary has grossed USD 1,009,256 at the box office within five weeks, cementing its status as the most successful arthouse documentary of the year and sparking widespread media attention across the country.
Beta Cinema says, “At a time when fascism is resurgent and we are confronted with fake news on a daily basis, Andres Veiel's captivating documentary shows that an examination of public figures like Leni Riefenstahl and her legacy is more relevant than ever. We are delighted to announce that audiences in over 30 countries worldwide will soon have access to this powerful film.”
Leni Riefenstahl, known for her Nazi-era films Triumph of the Will and Olympia, remains one of the 20th century’s most controversial figures. Her films are infamous for their fascist aesthetics, idealized portrayals of strength and superiority, and implicit disdain for the "imperfect" and "weak." But Riefenstahl – who debuted 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 materials 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; 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?
Riefenstahl is produced by Vincent Productions (producer Sandra Maischberger, executive producer Enzo Maaß) in co-production with WDR, NDR, BR, SWR and rbb, in collaboration with Rai Cinema. The production is supported by FFA, BKM, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, Filmstiftung NRW, and DFFF. Vincent Productions is helmed by acclaimed TV journalist Sandra Maischberger, hosting and producing the multi-award-winning political talk-show maischberger on German public television. With Riefenstahl, Sandra Maischberger concludes a journey that began with her interview with Leni Riefenstahl in 2002.
Andres Veiel is a multi-award-winning writer and director of both feature films and documentaries. His documentary about the aftermath of the RAF terror Black Box Germany was honoured with the German Film Award and the European Film Award in 2002. In 2011, he presented the feature film If Not Us, Who? in Competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, winning the Alfred Bauer Award. The film was also nominated for five German Film Awards and brought Sevilla’s Best Actor Award to August Diehl for his leading performance. Andres Veiel returned to the Berlinale in 2018 with his documentary Beuys about the world-famous sculptor and performance artist. The film was sold to more than twenty territories worldwide and its outstanding editing was honored with both the German Film Award in Gold and a Bavarian Film Award. Riefenstahl is his most recent work.
Beta Cinema is presenting Riefenstahl and its entire line-up at the Ventana Sur market this week.