Fort Bragg Library Mendocino County, California
Infamous Films Series
Triumph of the Will (Triumph des Willens): Art or Propaganda?
Filmed entirely in real time, using more than thirty cameras, various angles and locations including the tops of bridges, rolling dollies, fire trucks and even a 120′ flagpole, Leni Riefenstahl’s documentary of the annual rally of the National Socialist German Workers Party (the Nazi Party), was extremely progressive for its time. With only the noise of the crowd, the surroundings and the speeches providing the commentary, this film is a work of art that is both disturbing and enthralling at the same time.
The subject is controversial, especially in the present day political current. Hailed as a masterpiece of filmmaking for Riefenstahl, many have debated, over the years, whether the film is a work of art or just a very effective propaganda tool for Hitler and the Nazi Party.
Is it art or is it propaganda? You be the judge.
Join us for a screening of the film, Triumph of the Will, followed by a discussion of the historical and political elements of the film, June 14, 2017, 6 pm.
