Vera Kholodnaya (August 30, 1893 - February 16, 1919) was the first Russian silent movie star. Although the majority of her films do not survive, she was once a ubiquitous presence in Russian movie theaters. By 1917, a new Kholodnaya feature was released every three weeks. Her meteoric rise to fame came to an abrupt halt when she died suddenly at the age of 25. While there is speculation surrounding the circumstances of her death, the official records state that she succumbed to the Spanish flu during the 1919 pandemic. Her funeral, which took place in Odessa, was attended by thousands and recorded for posterity. Ironically it is this role, performed in death, by which she is best remembered.



You can watch the footage that remains of her funeral here: https://www.net-film.us/film-54911/.