The Black Dream

Den sorte Drøm

A tragic love-triangle melodrama fit for the supreme Danish diva.

  • Director

    Urban Gad

  • With

    Asta Nielsen, Valdemar Psilander, Gunnar Helsengreen

  • Demark 1911. 53min

  • Digital

  • English subtitles

  • With live piano accompaniment by Costas Fotopoulos

In this early role for Nielsen, suited to her mastery of melodrama, she plays Stella, a circus star pursued by two suitors – a handsome count and a creepy jeweller. The Black Dream becomes a high-stakes love triangle as the jeweller’s jealousy threatens to destroy Stella’s chance of happiness. Just like many of Nielsen’s characters, Stella won’t go down without a fight.

+ The Film Primadonna

  • Germany 1913. Urban Gad. 17min (fragment). 35mm

  • With live piano accompaniment by Costas Fotopoulos

Nielsen plays a movie star with a tempestuous love life.

Restored in 2006, combining materials from EYE Filmmuseum and George Eastman Museum.