Documentary filmmaker Mark Laita, who first brought global attention to what has been called America’s most inbred family, has spoken about his unsettling first encounter with them and the lasting impression it left.
Laita met the Whittaker family in rural West Virginia in 2020. Locals were wary of outsiders, and he was only able to approach their home after a police officer escorted him. Speaking on the Koncrete Klips podcast, he described the experience as something out of a horror movie.
“It felt like a scene from Deliverance. The road turned into a dirt track that led to a small shack and a trailer. People were moving around, looking in different directions and barking at us. One man would make eye contact, scream, drop his pants, run off, then come back and kick a trash can. It was surreal.”
Despite the shocking first meeting, Laita gradually earned the family’s trust. What began as taking a photograph for a relative’s casket eventually developed into his documentary series Inbred Family – The Whittakers, which has since attracted millions of viewers.
The project sparked debate, with some accusing Laita of exploiting the family’s condition. He acknowledged the criticism but argued that any form of media has elements of exploitation. “It does feel exploitative,” he admitted. “But just as a hotel profits from your need for rest, or a restaurant profits from your hunger, film and photography naturally involve taking something in exchange.”
At the same time, many viewers expressed gratitude, saying the films made them reflect on their own lives. One person wrote: “This made me appreciate my blessings. Thank you for pushing past your fears to tell their story.”
Laita has also warned against visiting the Whittakers uninvited, explaining that the family is protective of each other and that neighbours often discourage outsiders from showing up out of curiosity. Pastor William Plumley echoed these concerns, noting that while the documentaries shed light on important issues, they also risk encouraging people to exploit the family further.
For Laita, that first day in West Virginia remains unforgettable. The images, sounds, and atmosphere of meeting the Whittakers continue to haunt him years later.
