Her career went downhill after a particular film.
Anastasia Vertinskaya’s career began with a bang. After roles in the films “Scarlet Sails” and “Amphibian Man” she gained all-Union fame. Directors literally lined up with new offers for the actress.
This continued until the early 90s. However, then Vertinskaya found herself a victim of the acting curse.
In 1994, she played the main female role in Yuri Kara’s film The Master and Margarita. At the audition, the star beat out such competitors as Anna Samokhina, Vera Sotnikova and Irina Alferova.
However, the film adaptation of Bulgakov’s novel received many critical reviews. Viewers noted that the film looked outdated and did not approve of the cast. Moreover, Vertinskaya, who played Margarita, got the most of it, having already celebrated her 50th anniversary.
The actress believed in the mysticism of the work of a writer banned in the USSR. After filming The Master and Margarita, the star’s career virtually ceased – she only starred in a couple more projects.