Official Nazi propaganda

Press, 8 May 1986, Page 10

Official Nazi propaganda

"Triumph of the Will,” the official film record of the Sixth Nazi Party Congress held at Nuremburg, Germany, in 1934, will be screened by the Canterbury Film Society next Tuesday and Wednesday. One of the highlights of the society’s programme for the year, this powerful piece of propaganda was made by Leni Riefenstahl, the officially appointed “film expert of the Nationalist Socialist Party.” It was banned in Britain, the U.S. and Canada, and furnished much footage during World War II for American propaganda, most notably for the “Why We Fight” series. Riefenstahl was granted, almost unlimited funds and given every co-opera-tion by the leaders of the party, who worked closely with her in planning the details of the 1934 congress to facilitate the

making of the film. * In a prologue, the ‘ Fuehrer descends from * the clouds like a Messiah arriving for the Second * Coming. From the clouds, » he makes his way through * the streets amid scenes of * quasi-religious adulation. • Alain Resnais directed •» the 30-minute supporting film, “Night and Fog” 1 ("Nuit et Brouillard”), I which was conceived as a ♦ “warning siren” against • extermination camps and * war. » Tuesday’s screening « will be held in Lecture ‘ Theatre Al at the Univer- * sity, Ham, at 7.30 p.m., * and Wednesday’s at the 1 Museum Theaterette, ■* Rolleston Avenue. ’• Subscriptions for the » year are $35 ($3O for< students and beneficiaries), non-members • will be admitted for a * donation fee. For in- C formation, phone 481-002 ? or write to P.O. Box 525, » Christchurch. _•