Olympia (1938 film)

Olympia is the title of a two-part Nazi propaganda film documenting the 1936 Summer Olympics, held in Berlin. It was directed and produced by Leni Riefenstahl.

The two parts are titled:

• Olympia Part One: Festival of Nations
• Olympia Part Two: Festival of Beauty

The film is notable for its pioneering aesthetic techniques, including innovative camera angles, slow-motion shots, close-ups, and tracking shots. Riefenstahl employed a large crew and extensive resources to create a visually striking and technically advanced film for its time.

Olympia was controversial both during and after its release due to its association with the Nazi regime. Despite its propaganda purposes, it received critical acclaim for its artistic merit and technical innovation, influencing subsequent sports films and documentaries. However, its propagandistic context continues to be debated and scrutinized. The film won several awards, including international recognition at the Venice Film Festival and other events. The film attempts to showcase the athletic prowess of various nations while subtly promoting ideals of physical perfection and Aryan superiority favored by the Nazi ideology.