I recently learned of a new documentary about G.W. Pabst, the "great unknown" who directed Louise Brooks in two classic silent films, Pandora's Box (1929) and The Diary of a Lost Girl (1929).
This near 90 minute Austrian film, directed by Angela Christlieb and titled Pandoras Vermächtnis (or Pandora's Legacy), was released in May 2024, one year ago. It is described as "A journey through the family universe of G.W. Pabst, giant of early cinema, told through the eyes of the woman who was his great love and lifelong partner: Trude Pabst. A film about dream and trauma, and about why we become who we are." The film looks interesting.
According to one German language review, "Rather than focusing solely on the filmography, the film focuses on the family." I haven't seen the documentary as of yet, but from what I can tell after looking around online the film does largely focus on Trude Pabst via the Pabst grandchildren, though Louise Brooks enters its story as does Greta Garbo and Brigitte Helm.
The description (in translation) which accompanies the trailer below reads: "Trude Pabst, the wife of the famous director Georg Wilhelm Pabst, was overshadowed by her husband during her lifetime. The documentary Pandora's Legacy reveals insights into her dreams, fears, and the family legacy passed down through generations. The story is told through a fascinating mix of personal notes, letters, and film clips. This interweaving of the various narrative layers gives the film a profound and symbolic dimension that illuminates both the relationship between Trude and G.W. Pabst and the family's traumatic and spiritual experiences."
Pandora's Legacy had its world premiere at the IFFR International Film Festival in Rotterdam. It has also been shown at the Diagonale Austrian Premiere Festival for Austrian Film in Graz, and the BAFICI in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I don't believe the film has been shown in the United States, but with all of the interest generated by Daniel Kelhmann's newly released novel about Pabst, The Director, hopefully it's just a matter of time. (See the May 5th Louise Brooks Society blog post for more on Kelhmann's novel.)
The film has an IMDb page, but for more information be sure and check out the director's webpage on the film which contains credits, images, and links to reviews and other material. Also of interest is this interview with the director, Angela Christlieb, on the Austrian Films website. (It's in English.)
A couple of sentences from the interview stand out. In answer to the question as to why and how Pandora's Box inspired her film and its title, Christlieb stated "An imaginary box is opened, and well-kept secrets
come to light. I was inspired by this association. After all, the film
is
about a great legacy of the family, and
Pandora (played by Louise Brooks) even plays an indirect role: G.W.
Pabst had an affair
with her, so she has a special place
within the family." Christlieb also noted that "The family has even commissioned a comprehensive biography
of their grandfather....." I am certainly looking forward to that book as well!
THE LEGAL STUFF: The Louise Brooks Society™ blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society (www.pandorasbox.com). Original contents copyright © 2025. Further unauthorized use prohibited. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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