The Abyss

Afgrunden was the first film by Asta Nielsen, who had up until then only acted in theatre. Having grown up with the naturalist style of acting with the Royal Theatre, in Afgrunden she broke away from the acting style of the time, known as `the grand gesture’. And with great success: in Denmark and far beyond the film was a great hit. Nielsen plays Magda, a young lady who goes to the circus with her lover. There one of the artistes is greatly charmed by Magda, and the feeling is mutual. Magda deserts her fiancé for a life as circus artiste, but he doesn’t give up that easily… —International Film Festival Rotterdam