Asta Nielsen
Asta Sofie Amalie Nielsen (1881–1972) is considered one of the most influential figures in early film history. Born on September 11, 1881, in Copenhagen, she grew up in modest circumstances. Her father died when she was young, and the family had to move frequently. Despite these difficult circumstances, Nielsen developed a strong affinity for the stage even as a young girl. She took acting lessons and gained her first experience at small theaters before becoming a mother to a daughter in 1901. The decisive turning point in her career came in 1910 with the Danish film “Afgrunden” (The Abyss). Her passionate, modern performance made her internationally famous overnight. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Nielsen did not act in an overly theatrical manner, but relied on subtle facial expressions and psychologically rich body language. This new style of acting made her one of the first major international stars of silent film. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Germany, where she became one of the most sought-after actresses between 1911 and the early 1920s. Together with director Urban Gad, to whom she was married for a time, she starred in a series of successful films. Nielsen often portrayed strong, independent female characters who challenged social norms—an approach that was both unusual and courageous at the time. Among her best-known works are Die arme Jenny (1912), Engelein (1914), and especially her extraordinary portrayal of Hamlet (1921), in which the title character is raised as a woman. With the advent of sound film, Nielsen increasingly withdrew from the cinema. She was convinced that her expressiveness was better showcased in silent film and later focused on theater work, art, and writing. In 1946, she published her memoirs, “The Silent Muse,” in which she reflected openly on her life and work. Asta Nielsen remained a cultural icon into her old age. She spent her final years living a secluded life in Denmark and died on May 25, 1972, in Frederiksberg. Her influence on the art of film is still felt today: she is regarded as a pioneer of a modern, natural acting style and as one of the first women to possess true star power in the international film industry.
Den talende muse - samtaler med Asta Nielsen
((archive footage))
Joyless Street
(Maria Lechner (Mizzi))
Mata Hari
(Mata Hari)
Asta Nielsen
(Herself)
The Abyss
(Magda Vang)
Asta Nielsen - Europas erste Filmikone
(Self (archive footage))
The Queen of the Stock Exchange
(Helene Netzler)
Little Angel
(Jesta)
Towards the Light
(Komtesse Ysabel, grevindens datter)
The Film Prima Donna
(Ruth Breton)
Vanina
(Vanina)
The Black Dream
(Stella, cirkusdanserinde)
Hamlet
(Hamlet)
Poor Jenny
(Jenny Schmidt)
A Romany Spy
(Zidra)
Downfall
(Kaja Falk)
Earth Spirit
(Lulu)
Zapata's Gang
Sex, Sensations & Superstars: The History of Danish Silent Cinema
(Self – Interviewee (archive footage))
Impossible Love
(Vera Holgk)
The Suffragette
(Nelly Panburne)
Tragedy of the Street
(Auguste - Old Street Walker)
S1
(Von Hessendorffs Tochter)
The ABC of Love
(Lis)
The Eskimo Baby
(Eskimo Ivigtut)
The Ballet Dancer
(Camille)
The Merry-Go-Round
(Elena)
Asta Nielsen: A Great Artist
(herself (archive footage))
The House by the Sea
(Enricos Ehefrau Teresa)
Play On! Shakespeare in Silent Film
(Self)
In Turmoil
(Margit)
Frontstairs and Backstairs
(Sabine Schulze)
Intoxication
(Henriette Mauclerc)
The Strange Bird
(Miss May Wolton)
Kurfürstendamm
(Girl Lissy / Mulatto / Filmstar / Maria)
The Fallen
(Anna Grosser)
The Dangerous Age
(Elsie Lindtner)
Small Town Sinners
(Selma Karchow)
Living Buddhas
(Tibetanerin)
I.N.R.I. – A Film of Humanity
(Maria Magdalena)
The Film in the Film
(Self)
Wandering Souls
(Nastassja Baraschkowa)
The Vice of Humanity
(Tamara)
The Traitress
Gypsy Blood
(Jonna)
The False Asta Nielsen
(Herself)
The Great Moment
(Annie)
Gypsy Blood
(Luscha)
Death in Seville
(Juanita)
When the Mask Falls
(Sanna)
Comedians
(Kamma)
Agitated Woman
(Clarina)
Little Angel's Wedding
(Jesta Schneider)
The Woman in Flames
(Josephine)
Hedda Gabler
(Hedda Gabler)
Navarro the Dancer
(Navarro)
Fräulein Julie
(Julie)
Die Sünden der Väter
Steuermann Holk
(Isabella Bouflon)
Battle of the Butterflies
Der Totentanz
(Bella Burk)
Athleten
(Prinzessin Wanda Hoheneck)
So Ends My Song
(Dora Waren)
Revenge of the Bandits
(Brigantenbraut)
Die Macht des Goldes
(Creszenz Fitzinger)
Roswolsky's Mistress
(Mary Verhag)
Zu Tode Gehetzt
(Paula Müller)
The General's Children
(Thekla von der Linde)
Youth and Madness
(Jesta Müller)
Das Kind ruft
(Elana)
Graf Sylvains Rache
(Madelaine)
Cinderella
(Lotte)
Die Tochter der Landstrasse
(Zigeunerin Zirzi)
Das Feuer
(Wanda Petri)
The Moth
(Olga, Mademoiselle Yvonne)
Die ewige Nacht
(Marta)
In the Eyes of the Law
(Sonja Waler - Journalist - Her Daughter)
Dora Brandes
(Dora Brandes)
The Orphanage Child
(Esther)
Eine Rose der Wildnis
(Wanda)
The Guinea-Pig
(Jesta)
The White Roses
(Thilda Wardier)
Asta Nielsen als Mannequin
Die Asta - portræt af Asta Nielsen
(Self (archive footage))
German Film Award
(Self)