Margaritka

Margaritka (Daisy) is sick during the school year. Her dad is a writer and her mom is an actress who is rehearsing her lines for a new premiere. She is having an affair with the director of the production. At the premiere of "Mommy," Daddy sees her and the director kissing. Papa and Margaritka leave without waiting for Mommy. At home, a scandal is inevitable, but it does not solve anything yet. Mama leaves on tour, and Margaritka and Papa go to the village. There she makes friends with the village children and forgets about her incessant coughing and sneezing. Soon she begins to miss her mom and asks her dad to call her. He writes a telegram but does not send it. The child finds a crumpled piece of paper and goes to the post office. Mom arrives and all three are reunited.

Directed by Gencho Genchev, Margaritka leans on a strong ensemble — Albena Salabasheva, Sonya Vasileva, Ivan Kondov — 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 drama titles of 1961.