The 1984 documentary Marlene is both fascinating and frustrating; an essential part of Marlene Dietrich's legacy, in which she is noticeably absent. Directed by Maximilian Schell, a renowned German actor-turned-filmmaker whom Dietrich had previously worked with on the 1961 film Judgement at Nuremberg, this is very much Marlene's show. The reclusive 81-year-old star agreed to participate in the interview process, with the substantial caveat that she not appear on film. Schell's solution was to present these interviews as the documentary audio-track, and use film stills, vintage newsreels, archival concert footage and excerpts from the films themselves as the visual corollary to the interviews. The documentary touches on Dietrich's entire filmography, from her breakout performance in The Blue Angel (1930), and continued collaboration with director Josef von Sternberg, to her Hollywood genre pictures such as Destry Rides Again (1939) and Touch of Evil (1958). The interviews themselves are legendary. Dietrich routinely ignored Schell's questions, in favor of dismissive declarations ("I was an actress. I made films. Period.") and wry assessments of her fellow performers. These evasions prove to be far more revealing than one might imagine; creating a portrait of a complex, mercurial, personality. Marlene works as an intriguing case-study in how much an iconic film star can give of herself, and how much she needs to keep.Recently released on DVD by Kino.
Find it in the catalog!
For a look at what made Marlene Dietrich such a fascinating subject, check these out:
The Scarlet Empress (1934)
Find it in the catalog!
Destry Rides Again (1939)
Find it in the catalog!
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Find it in the catalog!
Touch of Evil (1958)
Find it in the catalog!
