Mark Laita, the filmmaker known for shedding light on the notorious “America’s most inbred family,” recently shared details of his initial encounter with them. The Whittaker family of Odd, West Virginia, has a history of inbreeding that originated from the intermarriage of descendants of identical twin brothers, Henry and John, leading to generations of offspring with severe disabilities.
Laita faced challenges approaching the family due to their protective neighbors but eventually gained access with the help of a police officer. Describing his first visit, Laita recalled navigating through rural roads to reach their trailer home, where he encountered individuals exhibiting unusual behaviors.
The filmmaker likened the experience to a scene from the thriller movie Deliverance, noting instances of erratic behavior among the family members. Despite initial reluctance from the Whittakers, Laita established a connection by offering to take photographs for a deceased relative’s coffin, eventually leading to the production of his documentary, “Inbred Family – The Whittakers,” in 2020.
Acknowledging the controversial nature of his work, Laita admitted to mixed reactions from viewers, with some criticizing him as exploitative while others found his content intriguing. He defended his approach, citing the importance of shedding light on such realities and emphasizing the inherently exploitative nature of photography and videography.
Laita has continued to document the Whittaker family’s life on his YouTube channel, Soft White Underbelly, releasing videos with titles like “Christmas season with the Whittakers,” “The Whittaker family cemetery,” and “The Whittakers go to the state fair.”