Released in February 1990 and traumatizing unsuspecting children ever since, The Witches provided a rare later-life acting role for renowned Swedish actor, director, and author Mai Zetterling, who would pass away just four years later at the age of 68. Having appeared in the Ingmar Bergman-scripted Torment in 1944, securing the title role in British drama Frieda (1947), and subsequently moving to Hollywood, she quickly grew disillusioned with the parts available to young actresses and returned to Europe. There, Zetterling would direct documentaries, shorts, and features, including The War Game (1963), Loving Couples (1964), Night Games (1966) – adapted from her own novel – and The Girls (1968). Unapologetically feminist, experimental, and frank in their sexuality, Zetterling’s output was no stranger to controversy, despite critical plaudits: Loving Couples was simultaneously…
