Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Helene Bertha Amalie Riefenstahl, more commonly referred to as "Leni Riefenstahl", was an actress and filmmaker most widely known for filming multiple Pre-War propaganda films for the NSDAP. She worked closely with the the top brass during the production of these, and during the war would serve as a war correspondent while continuing her filming activities. 

This is a very nice 4" x 6" reprint of a period photograph of Leni Riefenstahl, signed at the bottom in pen, which was probably acquired sometime in the 60s or 70s. There is business name on the back of the photograph, though we do not know if it is from a photography shop, a memorabilia dealer, or otherwise.

We have also examined the signature on the front of the photograph, and it is a definite match for that of Leni Riefenstahl, which is well-known and easily researchable. It looks to have been signed with a felt tipped pen or maybe a ballpoint, and we can see variations in the color due to how fast the tip was moving. It also looks like the surface of the photograph did not take the ink well in a few places. We see no reason to doubt that this signature is 100% correct and authentic, though we do not know when it was signed. Riefenstahl lived until 2003 and was available for signatures at various events.

A very nice autographed photograph of a historically significant NSDAP filmmaker, ready to add to your collection!

Helene Bertha Amalie "Leni" Riefenstahl (22 August 1902 – 8 September 2003) was a German filmmaker, photographer, and actress. She is considered one of the most controversial personalities in film history. Regarded by many critics as an "innovative filmmaker and creative aesthete", she is also criticized for her works in the service of propaganda during the NSDAP era.

A talented swimmer and an artist, Riefenstahl became interested in dancing during her childhood, taking lessons and performing across all Europe. After seeing a promotional poster for the 1924 film Mountain of Destiny, she was inspired to move into acting and between 1925 and 1929 starred in five successful motion pictures. Riefenstahl became one of the few women in Germany to direct a film during the Weimar era when, in 1932, she decided to try directing with her own film, The Blue Light.

In the 1930s, she directed the NSDAP propaganda films Triumph of the Will (1935) and Olympia (1938), resulting in worldwide attention and acclaim. The films are widely considered two of the most effective and technically innovative propaganda films ever made. Her involvement in Triumph of the Will, however, significantly damaged her career and reputation after World War II. Adolf H closely collaborated with Riefenstahl during the production of at least three important NSDAP films, and they formed a friendly relationship.

After the war, Riefenstahl was arrested and found to be an NSDAP "fellow traveler" but was not charged with war crimes. Throughout her later life, she denied having known about the Holocaust, and was criticized as the "voice of the 'how could we have known?' defense." Riefenstahl's post-war work includes the release of the film Tiefland in 1954, her work as a photographer, her autobiography in 1987, underwater photographs and two photo books on the Nuba peoples of southern Sudan.