Key Events in the Life of Leni Riefenstahl
Outline the key events in the life of Leni Riefenstahl
Leni Riefenstahl was born on the 22nd August 1902 in Berlin and in her young life grew a developed skill in classical dancing which led to many of her experiences throughout her life. Riefenstahl’s dancing career began in 1921 and continued until 1925, it was in this time that the expressionist movement was booming in Berlin and Riefenstahl became a central figure of this movement. She persuaded the leading theatre manager and producer, Max Reinhardt to sign her up as a professional dancer. Her dancing career although only lasting 4 years saw her travelling all across Europe, it ended abruptly after she suffered a major setback injuring her knee.
Following her experience on the stage Riefenstahl began acting in 1926 and starred in many films exhibiting the mountain genre. Her first film ‘The Holy Mountain’, directed by Arnold Fanck premiered in 1926 and officially began her acting career, which in the coming years would see her star in 5 more Fanck films. Riefenstahl was commonly depicted as the heroine of the films as she demonstrates her determination and bravery, carrying out the climbing scenes herself. By 1933 Leni was a highly popular movie star in Germany.
After staring in five films Riefenstahl spent much time with the directors of the film and as she felt fitting decided to begin directing films. ‘The Blue Light’ 1932 was her first released directed film and exhibited the techniques she had experienced when filming with Fanck, for this reason her film was extremely well received by the audiences and was extremely successful. In her making of films she was persuaded to witness Hitler address the German public at the Berlin Rally, it is here that her fascination with the man was expressed to the point where she wrote a letter asking to meet him. Hitler’s response to Riefenstahl’s request to meet with him was taken positively and in May 1932 Hitler and Riefenstahl met at Wilhelmshaven on the Baltic
Leni Riefenstahl was born on the 22nd August 1902 in Berlin and in her young life grew a developed skill in classical dancing which led to many of her experiences throughout her life. Riefenstahl’s dancing career began in 1921 and continued until 1925, it was in this time that the expressionist movement was booming in Berlin and Riefenstahl became a central figure of this movement. She persuaded the leading theatre manager and producer, Max Reinhardt to sign her up as a professional dancer. Her dancing career although only lasting 4 years saw her travelling all across Europe, it ended abruptly after she suffered a major setback injuring her knee.
Following her experience on the stage Riefenstahl began acting in 1926 and starred in many films exhibiting the mountain genre. Her first film ‘The Holy Mountain’, directed by Arnold Fanck premiered in 1926 and officially began her acting career, which in the coming years would see her star in 5 more Fanck films. Riefenstahl was commonly depicted as the heroine of the films as she demonstrates her determination and bravery, carrying out the climbing scenes herself. By 1933 Leni was a highly popular movie star in Germany.
After staring in five films Riefenstahl spent much time with the directors of the film and as she felt fitting decided to begin directing films. ‘The Blue Light’ 1932 was her first released directed film and exhibited the techniques she had experienced when filming with Fanck, for this reason her film was extremely well received by the audiences and was extremely successful. In her making of films she was persuaded to witness Hitler address the German public at the Berlin Rally, it is here that her fascination with the man was expressed to the point where she wrote a letter asking to meet him. Hitler’s response to Riefenstahl’s request to meet with him was taken positively and in May 1932 Hitler and Riefenstahl met at Wilhelmshaven on the Baltic