Leni's Introduction

to Impressionen unter Wasser (2002)

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Below is an English translation of Leni Riefenstahl's opening remarks for her 2002 film, Impressionen unter Wasser.

"Dear Viewers:

"Before you sit back to watch this film, I would like to say a few words about it.

"I made this film for all the people who have never had the opportunity to dive or snorkel in tropical seas, and those for whom the underwater world remains unknown. You will experience no sensationalism — no sharks will be attacking anyone! — and this is also not a scientific film. I only wanted to show people the wondrous underwater world as I experienced it myself. I intentionally chose to not add commentary, because I believe that the imagery works more beautifully without any narration.

"We were still able to dive in healthy reefs — but for how much longer? Marine biologists state that already 70% of the coral reefs have been destroyed; even the number of fish that live in these environments has dramatically decreased. Especially in danger are the young fish, of which millions are caught to end up in aquariums, and so many among these die during transport.

"This reminds me of Prof. Dr. [Bernhard] Grzimek, whose film Serengeti darf nicht sterben ['Serengeti Shall Not Die'] led to the creation of national parks in Africa so that every year hundreds of thousands of people can observe the animals first-hand. We should be able to do the same thing for the coral reefs, by creating protected areas — so-called 'marine parks' — where fishing would be strictly prohibited.

"It is my most heartfelt wish that my film will help make people aware of what they could lose if we do not succeed in preventing the destruction of the coral reefs. I ask everyone to support those who work toward the preservation of the reefs and maintaining the purity of the seas. Only then will it be possible for future generations of people to experience the secret, fantastically beautiful world of the reefs."

— Leni Riefenstahl, 2002

Translation by Luc Deneulin & Ron Koster, 2005

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