The actress Asta Nielsen is still considered one of the biggest movie stars of the silent era; and as a skilled interpreter of tragic female characters, unhappy and unrequited love – a tragedienne of melodrama. Her personal life is surrounded by both mystery and passion: Born into squalor, idolized film star and femme fatale – a strong and unorthodox woman who did things her own way in all aspects of life.

Asta Nielsen works extensively in Germany during the early days of the film industry, but in 1937 she moves back home to Denmark. This move is partly due to the rise of Nazism, partly due to the arrival of sound film, which does not seem to suit her temperament as an actress. After this, she only gives a few performances. Instead, she writes short stories and makes fabric collages, often still lifes with materials from her old film costumes.