ERDGEIST
T. it.: “Lulu”; Scen.: Carl Mayer, dal dramma omonimo di Frank Wedekind; F.: Axel Graatkjaer; Scgf.: Robert Neppach; Int.: Asta Nielsen (Lulu), Albert Bassermann (Dr Schoen), Carl Ebert (Schwarz), Rudolf Forster (Alwa Schoen), Alexander Granach (Schigolch), Heinrich George (Rodrigo), Gustav Rickelt (Dr Goll), Erwin Biswanger (Eulenber), Julius Falkenstein, Lucy Kieselhausen, Anton Pointner; Prod.: Jessner-Film; 35mm. L.: 1955 m. D.: 90’ a 20 f/s. Bn.
Film Notes
In 1923, film critics were not convinced by the theatrical quality of stage director Leopold Jessner ‘s screen adaptation of Wedekind ‘s play. Made more than twenty five years after the play, the film is a fascinating mix of German expressionism, avant-gardist decors and an imposing role by Asta Nielsen. Nielsen plays the role of an independent and depraved woman who inspires fear in all men. The Nederlands Filmmuseum owned a heavily cut version of Erdgeist. However, through the cooperation of the film archives of Denmark, Germany and Russia, a print has now been compiled that comprises more than 90% of the film ‘s original length.
Filmmuseum Biennale 2003 – Catalogue