Barskaya, Margarita A. (1903–1938)
Barskaya, Margarita A. (1903–1938)
Soviet actress, scenarist, and filmmaker. Name variations: Margarita Barskaia; Margarita Chardinina-Barskaya or Chardynina-Barskaya. Born June 19, 1903, in Baku, Russia; died 1938 (some sources cite 1939) in a Soviet gulag; m. Petr Chardynin (director).
Gained reputation as actress in pre-revolutionary Russia; with husband, had successful career during and after Bolshevik takeover; made major contribution as pioneer in children's films; opened Laboratory for Children's Cinema (1930) and eventually directed enormously successful Torn Boots, a landmark in Soviet film history which was the 1st realistic movie geared toward young audience; directed Father and Son (1937), which outraged authorities; arrested and sent to concentration camp where she died (1938).