Die Dame mit der Maske

The Brief

Count von Seefeld loses his entire fortune in the hyperinflation that followed the First World War and is forced to sell his estate to the newly rich Otto Hanke. Facing poverty, his daughter takes a role at a variety theatre, but agrees to perform only if she can wear a mask – both to avoid a revealing costume and to conceal her aristocratic identity. The masked dancer quickly becomes a sensation, attracting widespread curiosity. Among her admirers is Otto Hanke, who becomes dangerously obsessed with uncovering her identity. Director Wilhelm Thiele later fled Nazi Germany and built a career in Hollywood, as did screenwriter Henrik Galeen, known for films like Nosferatu and The Golem. While the film was criticized at the time for portraying “outdated” social issues, history would soon prove otherwise. With striking clarity, the film exposes the male gaze: an audience drawn almost exclusively to the dancer’s body. In Sweden, it was even released under the title The Naked Dancer, with a provocative poster to match. Pay special attention to the opening montage by Hans Richter – a remarkable piece of experimental filmmaking in its own right.