Madonna Credits Nazi Sympathizers In 'W.E.'

Madonna's first feature-length directorial effort "W.E.," -- about the affair between King Edward VIII and the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, for whom he abdicated his chance at the throne -- debuted to poor reviews at the Venice Film Festival.

But it's who she thanked in the credits that's proving more interesting than the film itself.

As the credits roll at the end of the film, which Madonna also co-wrote, is a list of 120 "Thank Yous." The most surprising names included, "Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl and Hitler-loving fashion designer John Galliano," reports The Daily.

The surprising credits were first mentioned by In Contention writer Guy Lodge, who suggests in his review of "W.E." that there may in fact be fair reasons for these credits. He writes:

The names may be there for perfectly fair reasons. Galliano is a genius fashion designer, and Madonna’s film is nothing if not well-dressed. Riefenstahl was a genius metteur en scène, and Madonna’s film is nothing if not — well, perhaps she just likes Riefenstahl’s films, even if any claim of creative influence would be on the tenuous side.

The irony of thanking two prominent alleged Nazi sympathizers, mere minutes after “W.E.” goes to manful if unconvincing lengths to discredit any suggestions that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor had similar leanings, is incidental, and perhaps a little cheap to pick on, but merely one small symptom of Madonna the Auteur’s astonishing lack of self-awareness.

An astonishing lack of self-awareness really is perhaps the best way to describe these inclusions. After all she's thanking a man who was arrested for an anti-Semitic rant that included the proclamation that he loved Hitler, and the filmmaker responsible for "Triumph of the Will."

Comments

[Richard Connolly]

12:20 AM on 09/11/2011

Jesus germanotta

You seem to know a lot about madonna but the hatred you spread towards her is ironic - im guessing your just a pressed lady gaga fan ...What do u wish to achieve by preaching your hatred of madonna ? can you remove her 250 million record sales and the name MADONNA which by the way is possibly the most famous woman in the world - can you remove her fans ? what do you wish to achieve ?

[commloanaudits1]

03:11 PM on 09/07/2011

Used to not care for her NOW can't stand her.

[Asuigeneris1]

01:59 AM on 09/09/2011

Oh noes!!!

...it's the apocalypse. O.O

[Asuigeneris1]

10:02 PM on 09/05/2011

Why do people keep assuming that the end credits of this film, state a thank you as quoted in this article?

The quotes to this portion, are because it's taken from another article.

It does not mean that the wording at the end of the film, is anything but a normal thank you line-up of names. : P

...and it IS common courtesy to thank "anyone", who gives insight or any other help on a film.

The film is about two people in history that were suspected Nazi sympathizers, and the period piece had exquisite costume design...from reviews that I've read.

Which might even be why Galliano was sought out.

People just like to jump to conclusions without any real knowledge of the issue at hand, maybe see the film and then decide?

...just a thought.

[Jesus Germanotta]

11:04 PM on 09/05/2011

People like to invade a quiet dinner for two and hurl anti-Semitic abuse at an innocent couple, praise Hitler and say that they "are ugly and should be gassed."

People like to never truly renounced Hitler, saying that the Nazi party propaganda films they made were "just film."

People think Madonna's W.E. is a new animal adventure film; a lame turkey defending by mindless sheep.

...just a thought.

[Yank in France]

08:31 AM on 09/08/2011

All good points, Asuigeneris, but thoughtful posts don't stand much of a chance of being taken seriously by people who literally nourish themselves on quick negative judgments ... of others!

FAVED with pleasure!

[Jesus Germanotta]

07:44 PM on 09/08/2011

Rhymes with

[RealistBC]

07:29 PM on 09/05/2011

Madonna who?

[Gregg-O]

03:57 AM on 09/06/2011

My thought exactly.

[olivesforbreakfast]

05:37 PM on 09/05/2011

Here we are again - subjected to endless articles about that psychological vacuum cleaner, Madonna, trying to suck our brains out one mo' time to get herself yet another narcissistic fix.

What part of narcissism do HP staff writers find appealing? That Madonna adulates Wallace Simpson, Leni Reifenstahl, and Galliano? Does it come as a surprise that Madge projects onto them the 'misunderstood genius' label, because, check it out, people, that it is how she increasingly sees herself?

After all, anyone who had been listening would have found it obvious that Madonna, despite her blustery self-confidence has this other narrative going, 'victim Madonna', which has been seeping out for a long time? The common theme? (Get out the violins:) 'They were reviled because they were superior...'

Doesn't it seem that Madonna, for all her ability to manipulate the plastic exterior of life, to play dress up, phony locutions, make pious religious statements, dabble in diverse media, work the camera for PR, make money, yada yada, actually has a tin ear to the essence of life? The woman is too self-absorbed to see the world or herself very clearly. Characteristic of narcissists like Madonna is to only hear what they want to hear, etc.

So I'm not surprised that she has supports people that more awake people reject.

What does surprise me is that HuffPost continues to yield space to stories about her. There are so many artists more worthy of our attention.

[Jesus Germanotta]

06:18 PM on 09/05/2011

Fanned and faved. Madonna gets media attention while failing abysmally yet again and then the media issues the preprogrammed and fictional response of , "for 30 years, she has knocked down every obstacle to her quest for unceasing cultural relevance." Sure there are a few jabs but let's face it, Madonna needs and profits from ANY attention and the media knows this. Symbiosis at it's most insipid. Madonna has never reinvented herself, she simply became a mass media darling in an era where there was no internet to protest the fact that she was nearly ALL you got in terms of a lasting female pop singer super star for almost an entire decade. It was like cultural Stalinism from 1985 to about 1996 or so-especially in the states. The media (as well as Madonna) allowed no other women to enjoy even an iota of the press, the magazine covers, the sound bites or the twisted respect she glutted upon. The mass media has clearly ALLOWED Madonna to spin, incessantly, her own negativity, self-hatred, gross sexual explicitness, vulgarity, female misogyny cattiness and narcissism into profit and yet MORE attention.

[Asuigeneris1]

10:06 PM on 09/05/2011

For you to type out the above response, while calling yourself Lady Gaga's number one fan is laughable.

...and hypocritical.

Seems to me, you are bashing Madonna...because you have replaced her with a new icon to fanaticize over.

Most reading your tripe don't likely even know that Gaga's last name is Germanotta, so you have essentially likened a pop star to Jesus.

Gaga gets bad press for not having an original bone in her body, and your type goes on the warpath in her defense.

...stereotypical fanatic at work.

[Yank in France]

03:20 AM on 09/09/2011

I would just like to thank you for writing over 100 posts on this subject. Some might say you were SPAMMING this thread or even that you are OBSESSED by both Madonna and Lady Gaga, but I wonder if you are not actually promoting Madonna's film.

One thing is for sure. I may not be much of a Madonna fan, but you have sparked my interest in her new film, which I will now take the time to see ... with friends.

So thank you for bringing this film so rich in content matter to our attention. -:)

[Lisaap768]

07:17 PM on 09/05/2011

I am sorry you were forced to read this article. To be held down and made to read an article about someone you don't like must be a terrible thing. I have been very lucky in life. I have not liked certain celebrities past and present and I was never forced to read an article about them even the ones who appear on magazines every week! I must be a lucky one.
Nice try with your post. Your air of superior intellectuality will make some readers actually believe what you wrote.
Of course though that is the agenda right?

[Jesus Germanotta]

09:40 PM on 09/05/2011

Oh please. I know you are sad the film has bombed. so was I until I read this.It's too bad. But really, what more can be said about Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII. And on the off chance there were any new psychological angles to be mined, would a novice director like Madonna really be the right person for the job? A person who thanks Nazi sympathizers?

[YakittyGirl]

12:13 AM on 09/06/2011

Do I detect a note of sarcasm there? I thought so.

[ZMP]

01:27 PM on 09/05/2011

Oh stop with the Hitler stuff already. John Galliano made some stupid remarks in a bar, like millions of people do - it doesn't take away from his fashion brilliance. Like Clarence Thomas (sp?) doing STUPID sexist things to Anita Hill didn't detract from his legal brilliance. And Leni... is a brilliant filmmaker. She was forced to make propaganda films for a killer-idiot. So what?! She inspired thousands of filmmakers and thousands of women, pioneers like Madonna among them. Please show more intelligence in your reporting HP!

[Jesus Germanotta]

06:26 PM on 09/05/2011

"Like Clarence Thomas (sp?) doing STUPID sexist things to Anita Hill didn't detract from his legal brilliance­."

Legal brilliance? The man's professional history has been a disaster. He's a warped person with a psychopathic wife. Those labels are clearly interchangeable.

[sb413]

09:25 PM on 09/05/2011

"Oh stop with the Hitler stuff already?" Is there something wrong with you?

[YakittyGirl]

12:16 AM on 09/06/2011

I think there is.

[bjork rules]

01:21 PM on 09/05/2011

What I find odd is that a point was made to include the words "Nazi" and "Hitler-loving", when in fact they didn't need to be there. It could have read "John Galliano and Leni Riefenstahl" instead, so obviously it was included to cause a reaction. Come on Madonna, you don't need to be trying for attention this way.

[bthew]

07:43 PM on 09/05/2011

It reads to me like "Nazi propangandist" and "Hitler-loving" were being quoted from The Daily and were put there as embellishment by The Daily. I haven't seen the film, but I'd be surprised if Madonna used those terms in the actual credits. Have any of the commentators on this board seen the film to verify the actual wording?

[Jesus Germanotta]

07:52 PM on 09/05/2011

Madonna THANKS the aforementioned two losers Leni and John in the credits. It was not an astonishing "lack of self awareness" it was a clear case of "show me who you run with and I'll show you who you are." Her fans simply do NOT want to see what is there which is clearly an intrinsic, greedy narcissist who will never be respected as an artist.

[Asuigeneris1]

09:50 PM on 09/05/2011

...people tend to believe everything that is written, doesn't matter the source.

If it's in writing, it must be truth.

[Asuigeneris1]

09:49 PM on 09/05/2011

They weren't there.

That is not what is at the end of the film...the quotation marks are simply referring to where this article quoted those lines from.

[busterfll]

11:20 AM on 09/05/2011

Madonna was a great singer in the late 1980's and early 1990's; but, has lost her way!!! This film of Madonna's is TERRIBLE!!! Madonna should have tried to learn something for ex-husband Guy Richie about directing/producing a QUALITY film!!! Madonna is a DETROIT borne person, NOW PRETENTING to be some sort of BRITISH ROYAL-WANNBE!!!

I suggest Madonna return to her "roots" in Detroit, MI to further make something of herself and that of her eldest child trying to make a name in HIGH-END clothing!!!!

[Jesus Germanotta]

12:16 PM on 09/05/2011

Made in China and straight to Macy's is not 'high end".

[Asuigeneris1]

09:54 PM on 09/05/2011

Galliano is high-end.

[jeffeastwood15]

03:24 PM on 09/05/2011

MLVC was born in Bay City, Michigan.

[anniee214]

11:04 AM on 09/05/2011

What is a "manful if unconvincing length"?

[leobeverly]

12:53 PM on 09/05/2011

Very good Question Anniee. That statement had me scratching my head as well. That must be "Hollywood Artist speak" that we of the humble masses don't understand and should take as fact.

[Jesus Germanotta]

01:01 PM on 09/05/2011

I think he means Madonna's arms/Bristle cone Pine tree trunks.

[anniee214]

11:37 AM on 09/06/2011

OK-Thanks for the translation:)

[rgburrill]

09:56 AM on 09/05/2011

I bet if the headline writers had put the word "two" in the headline very few would even had read it. I probably would not have.

[rgburrill]

09:54 AM on 09/05/2011

So it's another much ado about nothing.

[Asuigeneris1]

10:03 AM on 09/06/2011

...pretty much. LOL

[Lisaap768]

09:16 AM on 09/05/2011

Ugh Everything from the headline to the pick it up and run with it comments! "People" who hate Madonna are abusive and completely out of control. No one see's it because Madonna has never played the victum card. The one thing I never do is simplify what I read and hear. I know squat about these people she thanked. Have these people DONE anything? Are they criminals? At the time did they not fully comprihend? I mean I don't know. Have they been convicted of something? The headline is very misleading to the narrow minded. The only ones who create controversy are writers who print misleading headlines LOOKING for a rise and people who hate.
You know how easy it is the label someone? Have you ever done ANYTHING to contribute to hate in the world?
Madonna has done nothing to contribute to the hate of anyone. She has never hurt anyone. She does not condone the repression or hate of any people on this earth.
So the next time someone says something about you should I just go and run with it? Well they said this is what you are so they must be right! Especially because I know "THEY" have nothing against you. I can't even deal with this with this. No wonder people create tabloids. They make so much money printing garbage with so many willing to just follow.

[Lisaap768]

12:07 PM on 09/05/2011

Okay. So I went to read up on these people although its unfair to make comments about people I do not know after reading about them for 1/2 hour. Anyway so the guy makes incredibly stupid comments while under the influence of drugs he says. Is it possible he was full of it. I have heard people today even under the age of 30 make hateful comments. I personally think they lack something in their thinking but I don't judge their entire being. Anyway I am not defending his incredibly insensitive comments even if he did apologize for it. The other one actually had a connection by making films about them. She claims she did not know what atrocities were going on. Could that be a possibilty? I didn't know her personally to say if she did or not. If Im selling newspapers it's a no brainer. I also saw a lot of praises about her brilliant filmaking from prominent magazines and film historians. If your grandfather or cousin makes a hateful comment or naively supports someone and you choose to only see the good in them does that make you a symphathizer to whatever stupidity comes out?
Ultimately WTH does this have to do with Madonna? She does not support the hate of anyone!!!
Look in own family and friends and employees. Do you want to be identified for any stupid comment they may have made because you thanked them for a contribution to a project?

[Jesus Germanotta]

12:18 PM on 09/05/2011

"No one see's it because Madonna has never played the victim card. T"

That is what her whole career is based on though. Pity because her mother died and she wants to simulate sex on her mother's grave and people think it is gross so she feel persecuted. Stop making excuses for what she is.

[Lisaap768]

07:36 PM on 09/05/2011

Oh and about the ridiculous statement about Madonna visiting her mother's grave. I don't know what you were seeing.
It's irresponsible comments like that, that make me angry. So anyone reading your comments who has not seen Truth or Dare is going to go with it. Your comment is a reflection of your own thought process and not based on reality.

[praymondc]

02:00 AM on 09/05/2011

NAZIS shouldn't be given credit for anything except the the unnecessary slaughter of millions.... similar to GW Bush and Dick Cheney in Iraq... and, of course, LBJ in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.

[Mrs RAC]

10:08 AM on 09/05/2011

Isn't it funny how those who have nothing of substance to add to a conversation will substitute a rabid political view for an informed, educated opinion of the topic at hand?

[Big Jap]

11:45 AM on 09/05/2011

Don't forget the Democratic Congress that defunded the 'Nam war in '74 after which we left and the North invaded the South and slaughtered 2 million people! You war protestors always seem to forget about that one!

[Jesus Germanotta]

12:56 PM on 09/05/2011

It was a war that the US funded to install a Catholic dictator in a country that is 98% Buddhist.

[Asuigeneris1]

01:30 AM on 09/05/2011

Well, considering they did help her acquire information used in the movie...why wouldn't she thank them?

...the storyline includes purported rumors of the couple being sympathizers, it would make sense to research that part of the story.

[Vicki Clay Sizemore]

02:18 AM on 09/05/2011

She doesnt need to give credit to anyone affiliated Nazis...I dont care what they do!! They lost their rights to be respected when they decided it was okay to kill the Jews!! Shes just trying to be controversial for the attention..sad old woman needs to stop acting like a teenager

[Asuigeneris1]

02:56 AM on 09/05/2011

An accurate portrayal, requires research...sometimes you have to get research on things that are not tasteful to many palates.

...that doesn't mean that she agrees with such things, I doubt she'd be an active member of the Kabbalah if she did.

..and if people help you with something, you thank them.

It's manners, whether or not you agree with their philosophies aside.

[gardema0713]

10:58 AM on 09/05/2011

I COMPLETELY AGREE 100% ATTENTION IS MADONNA S MANTLE IT CERTAINLY IS NOT TALENT

[zorkas]

12:38 AM on 09/05/2011

Prescot Bush did business with Hitler and the Bin Laden family and I dont see anyone complaining about that .

[Jesus Germanotta]

12:45 AM on 09/05/2011

Of course not because madonna is a victim who would never hurt a strawman.

[Asuigeneris1]

02:58 AM on 09/05/2011

Wonder Woman, and a likening of Lady Gaga to being Jesus?

...no, we have no idea where you're coming from. : P

[Mrs RAC]

10:10 AM on 09/05/2011

Please check the vast amounts of political commentary to bolster your opinion.

I'm sure there are scores of people who replied with your comment there, instead of on this thread where the topic at hand is Madonna's film.....which has nothing to do with the Bush family.

[zorkas]

10:44 AM on 09/05/2011

I know this might be hard for you to undestand ,but I waqs comparing how we are ready to lynch someone like Madonna but we forgive someone like Bush . Yes both are rich but one only said something and the other did something .