Impressionen unter Wasser
Impressionen unter Wasser | |
---|---|
Directed by | Leni Riefenstahl |
Cinematography | Horst Kettner Leni Riefenstahl |
Edited by | Leni Riefenstahl |
Music by | Giorgio Moroder Daniel Walker |
Distributed by | Odeon Pictures Bavaria Film International |
Release date |
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Running time | 45 minutes |
Country | Germany |
Language | German |
Impressionen unter Wasser (German pronunciation: [ɪmpʁɛˈsi̯oːnən ˌʊntɐ ˈvasɐ], Underwater Impressions or Impressions of the deep) is a documentary film released in 2002. It was directed by Leni Riefenstahl.
After the premiere of her film Tiefland in 1954, for decades it was generally thought this would be Riefenstahl's last film. However, a few days before her 100th birthday, saw the release of Impressionen unter Wasser (45 minutes, with an introduction by Riefenstahl) premiered in Berlin 48 years after Tiefland.[1]
Production history
Impressionen unter Wasser is the final result of 30 years of underwater cinematography. In 1983 she described her intentions for the eventual film; "Underwater films are either scientific, like Jacques Cousteau's, or sensational, like the Hollywood shark films. But there are none like this one we plan."[2]
Segments of her extensive marine footage were first shown to the public in the 1993 documentary,
Release
Impressionen unter Wasser had its premiere at Delphi am Zoo, Berlin on 14 August 2002, a week before the celebrations for Leni's centenary birthday. It was broadcast the following day on the French/German Arte channel, together with an interview with Riefenstahl and an airing of the original 1932 version of Riefenstahl's
Synopsis
The marine-based documentary was mainly shot around
Riefenstahl also contributed to an introduction, discussing the work and her marine journeys.[6]
Reception
The film attracted a mixed response from critics. The Tagesspiegel Daily wrote of the candy-coloured images and Riefenstahl's flowing blonde hair; "It's as if a pop artist on LSD painted it".[7] Time Out magazine held a neutral view point, puzzled by the lack of commentary, as is characteristic of Riefenstahl films but was displeased by the Moroder-Walker score.[8] Other critics compared the film to her famous 1938 film Olympia in that it reflects her ultimate pursuit of beauty.[9] Contributing to the book 501 Directors, Dr. Ernest Mathijs, writer and film scholar cited the documentary as "[a] final example of her creative genius."[10] The cartoon A fish movie is shown (Ein Fischfilm wird gezeigt, 2004) by comic duo Katz & Goldt is set at Delphi cinema in Berlin where the film premiered.[11]
References
- ^ "Hitler's filmmaker to release new film". BBC. 7 January 2002.
- ^ That Old Feeling: Leni's Triumph Archived 2012-07-13 at the Wayback Machine Time. 22 August 2002
- ^ a b Leni Riefenstahl-director Archived 2009-02-10 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "DISCO MOVIE!". NME. 7 January 2002.
- ^ In the shadow of the swastika The Guardian. 23 August 2002
- ^ Bach, Steven (2006). Leni- The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl. Abacus.
- ^ Hitler's film maker `lied about death of Gypsies' The Independent. 17 August 2002
- ^ Impressionen unter Wasser (review) Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine Time Out.
- ^ Happy birthday, Leni Riefenstahl Archived 2008-12-02 at the Wayback Machine Salon
- ^ Schneider, Steven (2007). 501 Movie Directors. Barron's Educational Series.
- ^ "Katz & Goldt | Ein Fischfilm wird gezeigt". katzundgoldt.de (in German). Retrieved 2022-08-12.
External links
- Impressionen unter Wasser at IMDb