Olympia Part Two: Festival of Beauty

Olympia Part Two: Festival of Beauty is a 1938 German documentary film directed by Leni Riefenstahl. Regarded as a visually mesmerizing and exceptional piece of documentary work, the movie provides a detailed account of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, a game significant in the history of sports due to various sociopolitical connotations. Even though it was a commissioned piece by the Third Reich, the movie's artistic merit cannot be undermined.

The movie showcases a myriad of sports events from the Olympiad, with appearances from sportspeople of various nationalities, including Japanese wrestler Shiego Arai, British rower Jack Beresford, and Hungarian sprinter Ralf Berzsenyi. The artistic and technical achievements of the film are exemplary, even by today's standards. The exquisite shots, unique camera angles, and pioneering filming techniques create an experience of wonder, capturing not just the athletic prowess of the participants, but also the spirit of the Olympic games.

The film commences with a grandiose opening ceremony, replete with elaborate displays of pageantry, symbols of national unity, and demonstrations of cultural prowess. Despite the backdrop of growing political tensions of the time, the games and the film manage to accentuate peace and camaraderie, emblematic of the original Olympian spirit.

Festival of Beauty presents a diverse range of sports, starting from the high-spirited excitement witnessed in the water sports, including swimming, diving, and rowing events. It expertly encapsulates the thrill and bated breath intensity of the spectators, rendering an almost palpable excitement for the viewers. Athletes like the acclaimed Japanese wrestler Shiego Arai and legendary British rower, Jack Beresford find their performances immortalized in the film, their hard-won victories represented through intricately beautiful montages and sequences.

Moreover, races like the 100-meter sprint, featuring athletes like Ralf Berzsenyi, are captured with the use of innovative high-speed camera techniques, providing a vivid account of the nail-biting finishes. The relentless endeavors of these athletes convey the intensity and determination that is characteristic of the Olympic spirit.

Riefenstahl's use of montage is outstanding. Combining individual shots, scaling close-ups, distant shots, and crowd reactions, she creates a harmonious symposium of visual components. This editing technique not only reflects the film's momentous scale but also adds a certain dramatic flair to the sporting events.

Additionally, the film offers a fascinating look at the architecture of the hosting city, Berlin. The grandiose Olympic Stadium, swastika-emblazoned banners, and monumental Nazi edifices provide a historic insight into the era's aesthetics and politics.

However, Olympia Part Two: Festival of Beauty is not free from the specter of controversy. Riefenstahl’s close ties with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party have raised questions about the film's intent and interpretation. Despite its undercurrent of propaganda, this dichotomy adds a layer of complexity to the film, enhancing its significance as a cultural artifact.

Furthermore, the film boldly confronts the racial undertones prevalent at that time, symbolically captured in the inclusion of American athlete Jesse Owens' victories. Skirting around the racial prejudice advocated by Nazi Germany, Riefenstahl showcases Owens' triumph as a testament to the human spirit, undeterred by the color of his skin.

The musical arrangement is another noteworthy aspect of the film, with splendid compositions that mirror the on-screen grandeur and thrill. The synchronization of music with the visuals powerfully amplifies the emotional undertow of the chasing victories and heartbreaking losses.

Olympia Part Two: Festival of Beauty stands as a testament of a monumental historical event - the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. With its groundbreaking cinematographic techniques, it captures the larger-than-life spectacle of the games, the grit and determination of the athletes, and the unabated spirit of sportsmanship. Despite its controversial undertones, it remains an enduring classic in the realm of sports documentaries, breaking barriers between art and actuality fearlessly.