The Awakening

The young artist Simon Durand happens to find himself in an idyllic village. Here he finds board and lodging with Marietta, who lives alone with her sick mother, and soon Durand has won the heart of his young hostess. Their happy state is threatened by the wealthy farmer Jerome, who has been courting Marietta in vain for a long time and is not about to abandon his hopes of eventually marrying her. He tattles on the couple to Marietta’s mother, who immediately suffers a heart attack and dies at the mere thought of a poor painter as her son-in-law. When Durand is simultaneously called away to the big city, Marietta’s mind is greatly clouded. (Stumfilm.dk)

Directed by Holger-Madsen, The Awakening leans on a strong ensemble — Augusta Blad, Olaf Fønss, Ella Sprange — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1913.