Olympia, Leni Reifenstahl
The aim of this essay is to present an artwork, in the field of visual and performing arts, and to analyse it using Thompson’s aspects and their characteristics. The formal elements of the artwork will be discussed and identified. I will examine how they are organised and structured and I will include the relationship between them, but first I will begin with a historical background of the artist as well as the context of the artwork. The intentional aspect shall be the last thing to be discussed then the conclusion of the essay. I have decided to analyse Riefenstahl’s documentary Olympia for this essay, but the opening sequence is what shall be focused on. My analysis is going to be based on my own opinion but will be encouraged by Thompson.
Leni Riefenstahl, born 1902, was a German film director. She was widely recognised for her innovation and her aesthetics as a filmmaker. Her most famous film was Triumph des Willens, translated as, Triumph of Will. [5] It was characterized as a propaganda film. This film, along with her personal relationship with Hitler got Riefenstahl into a bit of a predicament after Germany’s loss in World War 2. It been prohibited as a National Socialist propaganda film and she was arrested, but then released with no charges against her. Triumph of Will gave Riefenstahl immediate international fame or rather infamy that lasted throughout her life. The propaganda ‘quality’ of her films that had been created caused the majority of critics to revolt, but many film histories mention that the aesthetics of the films are exceptional. [1] [2]
After Triumph of Will, in 1938 Riefenstahl had created another film that had become world famous was Olympia, a film based on the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. It was a highly lucrative film. She was commissioned by the International Olympic Committee to make this film. [4] [6] She went to Greece to film at the original site of Olympia where she acquired footage of the games and events that took place. The
Leni Riefenstahl, born 1902, was a German film director. She was widely recognised for her innovation and her aesthetics as a filmmaker. Her most famous film was Triumph des Willens, translated as, Triumph of Will. [5] It was characterized as a propaganda film. This film, along with her personal relationship with Hitler got Riefenstahl into a bit of a predicament after Germany’s loss in World War 2. It been prohibited as a National Socialist propaganda film and she was arrested, but then released with no charges against her. Triumph of Will gave Riefenstahl immediate international fame or rather infamy that lasted throughout her life. The propaganda ‘quality’ of her films that had been created caused the majority of critics to revolt, but many film histories mention that the aesthetics of the films are exceptional. [1] [2]
After Triumph of Will, in 1938 Riefenstahl had created another film that had become world famous was Olympia, a film based on the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. It was a highly lucrative film. She was commissioned by the International Olympic Committee to make this film. [4] [6] She went to Greece to film at the original site of Olympia where she acquired footage of the games and events that took place. The
References: 1. Olympia (1938 film). [Online] Available: http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia_(1938_film) [17 October 2010] 2. Leni Riefenstahl. [Online] Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leni_Riefenstahl [17 October 2010] 3. Documentary film. [Online] Available: http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/documentaries [17 October] 4. 1936 Summer Olympics. [Online] Available: http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1936_summer_olympics [18 October] 5. Leni Riefenstahl: BIOGRAPHY. [Online] Available: http://www.leni-riefenstahl.de/eng/bio.html [18 October 2010] 6. OLIVIER, G. 2010.Film Visual and Performing Arts- Olympia. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand. [Course notes.] 7. OLIVIER, G. 2010.Film Visual and Performing Arts- Thompsons aspects of cultural objects. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand. [Course notes.]