Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/01/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]BIG BIG BIG BIG difference between being one of the leading propagandists, apologists, artistic pets for one of the most perverse mass murders in human history, and being a shmuck, or having politics different from ones own. John Wayne's politics make me ill - I love his movies. BIG difference. I have to say I am really appalled by the "oh, but you have to look at the art and ignore the politics" theme that recurs here from time to time. That is absolute BS. If one wants to make the argument that Leni must be included in a study of the history of documentary film making, no argument. But to say, 'oh, look at these wonderful photos and overlook the politics?" Sorry, but no way. That's really like saying, "That Hitler was really pretty twisted, but he did some interesting little paintings." B. D. BTW - The Nubian stuff that everyone oooos and ahhhs over was, in essence, just a rip-off of the work done earlier in B&W by George Rodgers, co-founder of Magnum - who, ironically, after covering the liberation of the death camps decided he could no longer deal with covering man's inhumanity to man, and headed for more peaceful photographic pastures. - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of John Collier Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 10:48 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] Leni Riefenstahl Site Many great/notsogreat artists had/have horrible personalities and despicable beliefs. That is the way humans are. If we are going to be picky, our museum's walls will be pretty bare. As example in a unrelated field, Ian Tyson is about the biggest jerk I ever have had the displeasure of meeting. A very good folk now country singer if you care for that sort of thing. Jonathan Richman of course is a notable exception. This unassuming delightful chap is simply marvellous to hear and to meet. John Collier > From: "B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net> > > How, how, how, pray tell, does one set aside "all politics and historical > nastiness" when one is talking about a leading Nazi propagandist? > > Sure, she was an important figure in terms of her documentary work - but her > main import relates to the political background and purpose of that work. - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html