Leni Riefenstahl's Africa

"If Leni Riefenstahl had done nothing but visit Africa and bring back her photographs, her place in history would be secure." -Kevin Brownlow, from the introduction

The first female film director to attract international acclaim, Leni Riefenstahl began frequent trips to Africa in her early sixties, where she worked on various film and photography projects. Her favorite destination was Sudan, where she immersed herself in the Nuba tribe, learning their customs and their language.

As warm and welcoming people, the Nuba offered Riefenstahl some escape from her past as a protege of the Third Reich. She would later recall her experiences in Africa as the happiest moments in her life. This book gathers Riefenstahl's images of the Nuba, as well as of the Dinka, Shilluk, and Masai tribes into a deeply evocative publication, capturing not only the beauty, expression and age-old customs of the tribes, but also Riefentahl's profound respect and love for these people and their land.

The book includes an interview with Riefenstahl by Kevin Brownlow about her working practice in Africa, and an extensive bibliography and biography section.

 

Text in English, French, and German