Despite the presence of the great Garbo, it is the performance of Asta Nielsen as the prostitute Maria that lingers longest in Pabst's 'Joyless Street'. Director Bruno Rahn died at the age of forty the year this slightly later 'street' film was released and although not quite as effective as the former it again features the Great Dane, this time as Auguste, the ageing tart with a heart. Her portrayal here is nothing short of miraculous and transcends the art of film acting. She does not seem to be 'acting' at all, just 'being'. Watching the unbearably tragic tale of Auguste unfold reminds me of the words of Ted Hughes referring to humans as 'ephemeral creatures, facing the abyss, on a spinning ball of self-delusion'. What more can one possibly say?
Review of Dirnentragödie
