The actress Asta Nielsen is still considered one of the greatest stars of silent film; and as a skilled interpreter of especially tragic female destinies, unhappy and unrequited love, a tragedienne of melodrama. Her personal life is surrounded by both mystery and passion: Born under difficult circumstances, celebrated film star and femme fatale - a strong and unorthodox woman who went her own way in all aspects of life.

Asta Nielsen's career takes place mainly in Germany in the early days of the film industry, but in 1937 she moves home to Denmark. Partly due to the rise of Nazism, partly due to the sound film, which does not seem to suit her temperament. After that, she only appears in a few performances, and instead she writes short stories and makes fabric collages, often flower arrangements made from materials from her old film costumes.