Asta Nielsen
Acting
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.
TV Shows(1)
Movies(84)
Asta Nielsen - Europas erste Filmikone
Self (archive footage)
2023
Sex, Sensations & Superstars: The History of Danish Silent Cinema
Self – Interviewee (archive footage)
2020
Play On! Shakespeare in Silent Film
Self
2016
Den talende muse - samtaler med Asta Nielsen
(archive footage)
2003
Die Asta - portræt af Asta Nielsen
Self (archive footage)
1995
Asta Nielsen
Herself
1968
Asta Nielsen: A Great Artist
herself (archive footage)
1933
Impossible Love
Vera Holgk
1932
The Dangerous Age
Elsie Lindtner
1927
Small Town Sinners
Selma Karchow
1927
Agitated Woman
Clarina
1927
Tragedy of the Street
Auguste - Old Street Walker
1927
The Vice of Humanity
Tamara
1927
The Fallen
Anna Grosser
1926
Living Buddhas
Tibetanerin
1925
Hedda Gabler
Hedda Gabler
1925
Athleten
Prinzessin Wanda Hoheneck
1925
Joyless Street
Maria Lechner (Mizzi)
1925
The Woman in Flames
Josephine
1924
Battle of the Butterflies
1924
The Film in the Film
Self
1924
The House by the Sea
Enricos Ehefrau Teresa
1924
I.N.R.I. – A Film of Humanity
Maria Magdalena
1923
Downfall
Kaja Falk
1923
Navarro the Dancer
Navarro
1923
Earth Spirit
Lulu
1923
Vanina
Vanina
1922
Revenge of the Bandits
Brigantenbraut
1922
Fräulein Julie
Julie
1922
Wandering Souls
Nastassja Baraschkowa
1921
Roswolsky's Mistress
Mary Verhag
1921
Hamlet
Hamlet
1921
Steuermann Holk
Isabella Bouflon
1920
Kurfürstendamm
Girl Lissy / Mulatto / Filmstar / Maria
1920
Graf Sylvains Rache
Madelaine
1920
The Merry-Go-Round
Elena
1920
Mata Hari
Mata Hari
1920
In the Eyes of the Law
Sonja Waler - Journalist - Her Daughter
1919
Intoxication
Henriette Mauclerc
1919
Towards the Light
Komtesse Ysabel, grevindens datter
1919
So Ends My Song
Dora Waren
1919
The Queen of the Stock Exchange
Helene Netzler
1918
The Eskimo Baby
Eskimo Ivigtut
1918
Eine Rose der Wildnis
Wanda
1918
In Turmoil
Margit
1918
The Orphanage Child
Esther
1917
Cinderella
Lotte
1916
The White Roses
Thilda Wardier
1916
The ABC of Love
Lis
1916
Dora Brandes
Dora Brandes
1916
Frontstairs and Backstairs
Sabine Schulze
1916
Little Angel's Wedding
Jesta Schneider
1916
Die ewige Nacht
Marta
1916
The Guinea-Pig
Jesta
1916
The False Asta Nielsen
Herself
1915
Die Tochter der Landstrasse
Zigeunerin Zirzi
1915
Asta Nielsen als Mannequin
1915
Das Feuer
Wanda Petri
1914
Zapata's Gang
1914
Das Kind ruft
Elana
1914
Little Angel
Jesta
1914
The Film Prima Donna
Ruth Breton
1913
S1
Von Hessendorffs Tochter
1913
The Suffragette
Nelly Panburne
1913
Death in Seville
Juanita
1913
Die Sünden der Väter
1913
Youth and Madness
Jesta Müller
1913
Comedians
Kamma
1912
A Romany Spy
Zidra
1912
When the Mask Falls
Sanna
1912
The General's Children
Thekla von der Linde
1912
Der Totentanz
Bella Burk
1912
Poor Jenny
Jenny Schmidt
1912
Zu Tode Gehetzt
Paula Müller
1912
Die Macht des Goldes
Creszenz Fitzinger
1912
The Traitress
1911
The Ballet Dancer
Camille
1911
The Strange Bird
Miss May Wolton
1911
Gypsy Blood
Luscha
1911
The Great Moment
Annie
1911
The Black Dream
Stella, cirkusdanserinde
1911
The Moth
Olga, Mademoiselle Yvonne
1911
Gypsy Blood
Jonna
1911
The Abyss
Magda Vang
1910