MARLENE DIETRICH – HER OWN SONG
Using previously unreleased archive material, the film explores Marlene Dietrich’s extraordinary Hollywood career and her personal stand against the Nazi regime during World War II.
The documentary Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song, directed by J. David Riva, grandson of the legendary artist, presents a multifaceted portrait of Marlene Dietrich – not just as a film icon but also as a politically conscious and courageous woman. While celebrating her unparalleled Hollywood career, the film primarily focuses on her steadfast resistance to the Nazi regime. Dietrich publicly broke with Nazi Germany, supported the Allies and toured the front lines to boost the morale of US soldiers with her songs. Drawing on rare archive footage, interviews with eyewitnesses, family members and historians, alongside private letters and audio recordings, the film presents an intimate portrayal of a woman who consistently opposed fascism and, despite her global fame, never lost her humanity. At the core of the film is Dietrich’s commitment to the US troops at the front lines and her courageous break with Nazi Germany, which earned her admiration but also hostility. Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song is a moving tribute to an indomitable artist whose influence extended far beyond the silver screen – an inspiring testament to courage, conviction and personal integrity.