Mazurka (film)

Mazurka is a 1935 German drama film directed by Willi Forst and starring Pola Negri, Albrecht Schoenhals, and Ingeborg Theek. It tells the story of a celebrated opera singer, Marian Kersten, who, years after giving up her illegitimate son for adoption, shoots a young pianist she believes is trying to seduce her. The film then unfolds in flashbacks, revealing the events that led to the shooting.

The film's plot revolves around themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and the destructive power of secrets. It's noted for Pola Negri's performance, portraying a woman consumed by guilt and driven to desperate measures. The film features the titular Mazurka piece, a Polish folk dance, which plays a significant role in the narrative and is strongly associated with Negri's character.

Mazurka was also remade in the United States in 1937 as Confession, starring Kay Francis. This American version closely followed the storyline of the original German film. The German Mazurka was a commercial success and solidified Negri's status as a leading actress in German cinema during the 1930s. It is considered a notable example of German melodrama.