Riefenstahl15

Directed by Andres Veiel | Germany | 2024 | 1h 55m | German w/ English subtitles

A celebrated filmmaker and a Nazi propagandist, Leni Riefenstahl remains one of the most controversial figures of the 20th century. Best known for Triumph of the Will and Olympia, her films glorified the rise of the Third Reich, even as she spent decades denying close ties to the Nazi regime while staunchly defending her artistic legacy. Drawing from Riefenstahl’s personal archive –  private films, photographs, recordings, and letters – this definitive documentary offers a nuanced and critical examination of her life, work, and enduring impact.

Reviews

‘Riefenstahl does not come to praise or reclaim the late director, but nor does it mean to bury her. It acknowledges her as a trailblazer… But the film also demonstrates the ways in which her work is inextricably linked to nazism’
★★★★★
Xan Brooks, The Guardian

‘With his new documentary “Riefenstahl,” Andres Veiel absolutely sets out to offer a different perspective: Glorify her at your peril.’
★★★★
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Riefenstahl between May 23, 2025 and May 29, 2025.

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Today (Sunday 1st June)

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15:00

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17:00

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20:00

Motel Destino 18
1h 55m | Portuguese w/ English subtitles
At a neon-lit sex motel, a young fugitive’s arrival sparks a dangerous spiral of seduction, violence, and power. Award-winning filmmaker Karim Aïnouz (The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão) returns with this erotic neo-noir set under the scorching blue skies of Brazil.

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Tomorrow (Monday 2nd June)

18:30

Maisie 15
1h 16m
At 85, Britain’s oldest drag queen Maisie Trollette is still stealing the show! But what happens when she meets Darcelle XV, the world’s reigning queen? Join us for this hilarious and heartfelt documentary presented by Oxford Pride.

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20:45

Good One 15
1h 30m
On a three-day backpacking trip, 17-year-old Sam navigates the tense dynamics between her father and his oldest friend. When boundaries are crossed and trust is broken, simmering conflicts erupt in India Donaldson's perceptive debut.

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!