George Steiner on Riefenstahl and the allure of fascism
The erudite critic explains what Riefenstahl was doing...and how
One of the questions that came up as we read the earlier chapters in Shirer’s The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich was “why?” Why were ordinary Germans attracted by Nazi ideology?
It’s a fascinating question, largely because there are no easy answers. It is one that has been debated at length over the decades. World War I? Inflation? Anti-semitism? Martin Luther? Propaganda?
There are obviously many causes. Of course, what is important is how they all relate to each other.
Today, I stumbled on this clip of polymath George Steiner speaking about the power of Leni Riefenstahl’s film and what it communicated to (and about) ordinary Germans.
It’s only five minutes, so well worth your time.