She began directing in the early 1960s, starting with political documentaries and a short film titled "The War Game" (1962), which was nominated for a BAFTA award, and won a Silver Lion at Venice. Her first feature film "Älskande par" (1964, "Loving Couples"), based on the novels of Agnes von Krusenstjerna, was banned at the Cannes Film Festival for its sexual explicitness and nudity. Kenneth Tynan of "The Observer" later called it "one of the most ambitious debuts since "Citizen Kane"". It was not the only film she made that caused controversy for its frank sexuality.