Střevíčky

It's a crisp autumn morning. Marta prepares breakfast and goes to work. Little Jenda has a sore throat, so she has to go to her grandfather's to look after the boy. On the way to work, she reflects on the monotony of her life and marriage, and doubts whether her husband Karel still loves her. She spots a beautiful pair of Indian shoes in a fashion shop and shows them to Karel during her lunch break. He just runs his eyes over them and tells Marta to buy them. Martha is touched by his indifferent words. In the afternoon, encouraged by her colleague, she decides to buy the shoes. She is unlucky, however, as they have already been sold in the meantime. In the evening, Marta dresses for the theatre without any mood. In her wardrobe she discovers a box containing Indian slippers. Her face brightens with a smile and she goes to sew a button to Karl's white shirt without speaking. Suddenly the couple are close again.

Directed by Miroslav Ondráček, Střevíčky leans on a strong ensemble — Jiřina Jirásková, Jiří Pleskot, Jiřina Bohdalová — 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 romance titles of 1961.