by Clarke Fountain
synopsis
The true story of the last woman to be executed in Switzerland for witchcraft (in the late 18th century) is the subject of this historical drama. Anna Goldin was a maid accused of the crime of witchcraft after the little girl of the family she worked for became ill after Anna was fired. As things developed, the charge she was formally tried for wasn't actually witchcraft, because by then such a thing would bring down ridicule on the small province which was trying her -- but she was made to confess to witchcraft and a great deal else under torture. Swiss cantonal politics likely also figured in her trial and execution.
