Made in 1926 by pioneering German filmmaker Arnold Fanck, The Holy Mountain is a landmark example of the Bergfilm, or “mountain film”, a genre defined by its awe-inspiring landscapes and daring physical spectacle. While framed as a romantic triangle between a young dancer and two mountaineers, the film’s true fascination lies in its exhilarating depiction of the natural world. Fanck captures the Alpine environment with breathtaking ambition, combining vertiginous climbing sequences, avalanche escapes, and thrilling downhill ski races into a striking cinematic spectacle.

“Perhaps regrettably, The Holy Mountain is often remembered for Leni Riefenstahl’s debut film performance as an actress and dancer. Only later would she turn to working behind the camera and become ‘Hitler’s favourite filmmaker’ after injury ended her dancing career. Against the sublime backdrop of the Dolomites and Swiss Alps, Fanck’s film frames a love triangle between Diotima (Riefenstahl) and two friends, Karl (Luis Trenker) and Vigo (Ernst Petersen). A hymn to nature and classic of the Bergfilm (mountain film) genre, The Holy Mountain exemplifies Weimar cinema’s appeal to Romantic ideals licenced by the technical skill and literal heights scaled by the cinematographers of the day.” The Weimar Film Network

This special one-off screening is presented by The Weimar Film Network, held in collaboration with the Weimar 100 project. This screening includes an introduction by Dr Ian Roberts (University of Warwick). Tickets are £8, with UPP Annual Members receiving a further £2 discount.

Ian Roberts is Associate Professor and Head of German at the University of Warwick. His research focuses on the films and career of German director F. W. Murnau and on representations of German national identity and the Bundeswehr in media and culture. In 2019, he launched Weimar 100, a project that promotes public engagement with films of the Weimar Republic through annual screenings and talks.

The Weimar Film Network was founded in 2021 by Dr Molly Harrabin as part of her ongoing research and general enthusiasm for Weimar Cinema and is co-convened by Dr Lawrence Alexander. We aim to provide a sense of community between students, academics, and film enthusiasts, and our work may be of interest to those involved in areas outside of German Studies, such as Film Studies, History and History of Art. As well as publishing writing on Weimar film from contributors of all career stages, the Network also hosts speakers to spotlight emerging scholarship in the field: from book launches to work-in-progress seminars. You can find more information about the Network here.