[Leica] Riefenstahl ...apolitical alternate view

[locke at straylight.ca (Greg Locke)]

A friend of mine who is a professor of literature and film studies at
Memorial University (she uses Riefenstahl in her classes...OF COURSE!) asked
me this question during a discussion about the role of Riefenstahl. "What
would your answer be if you were approached by a government agency to make a
film, photo essay, book about the country you love?
(asked in the context of a time of rising Newfoundland nationalism, anger at
Canada and in a cultural renaissance)

Would we not all jump at the chance of such an opportunity?

Is our decision based on our political views or our artistic ambitions (and
egos :^)?

We do it because we love our country and the opportunity offered.

My recent book on Newfoundland is very much a personal nationalistic
statement as Tim, Emanuel and Ted will understand but may not accept. There
you have it. I'm an artist/journalist/photographer with a point of view and
something to say about the state of my country. ...but aren't we all? Are
not what seem to be the most mundane of pictures some sort of statement by
the photographer?  

Remember, liberals, socialist, conservatives and neo-Nazis all love their
country equally ...they just don't agree on how it should be run.

Riefenstahl was a brilliant artist wrapped up in the German nationalism and
cultural change of the 30's who took advantage of an opportunity to make a
film about the country she loved.

....no different than Michael Moore's left of centre (by American standards)
film about his country and whoever the right of centre film makers (which
seem to be Fox TV and CNN I'm told) are doing.

Different time, different place, same story.

.... And at least 7 references in this post can be linked to some Leica
relevancy.

Greg Locke
St. John's, Newfoundland
http://blog.greglocke.com

--TRINITY Photographic Workshops--
     September 3 -5, 2004
  at The Artisan Inn, Trinity
www.straylight.ca/trinityworkshop