It’s a wonderful, horrible life

It’s a wonderful, horrible life Is Leni Riefenstahl one of the greatest women directors of all time or a Nazi propagandist whose films glorified one of the world’s most notorious dictators? Decide for yourself this weekend when Cinemareno premiers the 1993 documentary film The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl. Riefenstahl, who turns 101 on Aug. 22, discusses pivotal events in her life—from her start as an actress in German films to her evolution as a movie director and producer to her association with Hitler. While she never joined the Nazi Party, her 1935 film, Triumph of the Will, is considered one of the most effective propaganda films ever made. Not only is Riefenstahl an accomplished film director, but she’s also known for her photographs documenting the Nuba tribes of Africa and her work in underwater photography. Despite these projects, Riefenstahl has never been able to shake her association with Hitler and the Third Reich. Valerie Weinstein, a professor of German at the University of Nevada, Reno, introduces the film at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Reno Hilton, 2500 E. Second St. Tickets are $7 and will be sold a half-hour prior to screening.