Asta Nielsen
Actor
Born September 11, 1881 in Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
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.
Filmography
Asta Nielsen - Europas erste Filmikone
Self (archive footage)
Sex, Sensations & Superstars: The History of Danish Silent Cinema
Self – Interviewee (archive footage)
Play On! Shakespeare in Silent Film
Self
Impossible Love
Vera Holgk
Asta Nielsen: A Great Artist
Self (archive footage)
The Dangerous Age
Elsie Lindtner
Small Town Sinners
Selma Karchow
Agitated Woman
Clarina
Tragedy of the Street
Auguste - Old Street Walker
The Vice of Humanity
Tamara
The Fallen
Anna Grosser
Living Buddhas
Tibetanerin
Hedda Gabler
Hedda Gabler
Joyless Street
Maria Lechner (Mizzi)
The Woman in Flames
Josephine
The Film in the Film
Self
I.N.R.I. – A Film of Humanity
Maria Magdalena
Downfall
Kaja Falk
Navarro the Dancer
Navarro
Earth Spirit
Lulu
Vanina
Vanina
Revenge of the Bandits
Anica
Fräulein Julie
Julie
Wandering Souls
Nastassja Baraschkowa
Roswolsky's Mistress
Mary Verhag
Hamlet
Hamlet
The Merry-Go-Round
Elena
Mata Hari
Mata Hari
Intoxication
Henriette Mauclerc
Towards the Light
Komtesse Ysabel, grevindens datter
So Ends My Song
Dora Waren
The Eskimo Baby
Eskimo Ivigtut
Cinderella
Lotte
The White Roses
Thilda Wardier
The ABC of Love
Lis
Dora Brandes
Dora Brandes
Frontstairs and Backstairs
Sabine Schulze
Little Angel's Wedding
Jesta Schneider
The Guinea-Pig
Jesta
The False Asta Nielsen
Herself
Die Tochter der Landstrasse
Zigeunerin Zirzi
Asta Nielsen als Mannequin
Zapata's Gang
Little Angel
Jesta
The Film Prima Donna
Ruth Breton
S1
Von Hessendorffs Tochter
The Suffragette
Nelly Panburne
Death in Seville
Juanita
Youth and Madness
Jesta Müller
Comedians
Kamma
A Romany Spy
Zidra
When the Mask Falls
Sanna
Der Totentanz
Bella Burk
Poor Jenny
Jenny Schmidt
The Traitress
The Ballet Dancer
Camille
The Strange Bird
Miss May Wolton
Gypsy Blood
Luscha
The Great Moment
Annie
The Black Dream
Stella, cirkusdanserinde
Gypsy Blood
Jonna
The Abyss
Magda Vang