Some years ago, I watched - mesmerized - The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl. Released in 1993, the documentary chronicles the life of the filmmaker who caught Hitler's eye. His support made possible the brilliant films Triumph of the Will and Olympia. Riefenstahl, then living, insisted she never knew about Hitler's atrocities, even as the film proves her wrong. In later years she attracted attention for her live in companion, 40 years her junior, as well as her work in underwater photography and with the natives of Africa. The new documentary Riefenstahl updates her story with materials from Leni's estate, including phone conversations and letters. As in the earlier work, the filmmakers set out to prove Leni a liar, catching her in a recorded phone conversation toward the end of the film. Considering the Brillance of the earlier work, this new documentary feels pointless.
