Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/08/23

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Subject: [Leica] Riefenstahl ...apolitical alternate view
From: nathan.wajsman at planet.nl (Nathan Wajsman)
Date: Mon Aug 23 21:02:34 2004
References: <20040823234207.EXAJ1635.simmts5-srv.bellnexxia.net@straylight>

Greg,

I would expect a professor of literature and film studies to cover 
Riefenstahl in her courses. From a historical point of view she was 
clearly a significant figure.

But I do not accept your analogy of her work with yours. She was much 
more than a German nationalist. Nationalism of the kind you espouse is 
fine. But to my knowledge Newfoundland nationalists do not have plans to 
invade other Canadian provinces, or exterminate the Quebecois, do they?

The magnitude of what the Nazis did to the world (including Germany) is 
such that they cannot be classified simply as another political movement.

Nathan

Greg Locke wrote:

> 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 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
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> 

-- 
Nathan Wajsman
Almere, The Netherlands

General photography: http://www.nathanfoto.com
Seville photography: http://www.fotosevilla.com



In reply to: Message from locke at straylight.ca (Greg Locke) ([Leica] Riefenstahl ...apolitical alternate view)