Asta Nielsen

Asta Sofie Amalie Nielsen ( September 11, Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, 1881 — 24 may 1972), also known as That Asta, was a Danish actress, which especially in German silent films from the years played 10 and 20 of the 20th century. They had the nickname the silent Muse.

Asta Nielsen was born in the Copenhagen Vesterbrodistrict. Her father died before Asta Nielsen had reached the age of 15. She took acting classes at the Royal Theater school of Copenhagen. In Scandinavia, she became a famous stage actress. In 1909, she was encouraged by Director Urban Gad to go play in a silent film and in 1910 she was first seen in the movie Afgrunden. This film, which also meant for Urban Gad, the debut was a success and Asta Nielsen was encouraged to continue with movies.In those years, she was one of the first considered sex symbols . Asta Nielsen married Urban Gad and moved to Germany.

Asta Nielsen played both broken, suffering women, like prostitutes, dancers and workers. She starred in dozens of films, including 30 films by Urban Gad. Her film career ended with the rise of the spoken films: although they had a pleasant voice, went to acting with her quality facial expressions in this new medium is lost.

Later she played only on the scene. In 1920 she was seen in the Hague Zoo. In 1946 she published her autobiography: That schweigende Muse

Asta Nielsen died in Frederiksberg in 1972, shortly after her fifth marriage. She was buried at Vestre Kirkegård in Copenhagen. ==Filmography[ Edit] ==