Home / Arts and Entertainment / Elizabeth Smart's Mom Avoids Kidnapping Doc Trauma
Elizabeth Smart's Mom Avoids Kidnapping Doc Trauma
5 Feb
Summary
- Elizabeth Smart's mother chose not to appear in the Netflix documentary.
- The mother wanted to avoid reliving the traumatic kidnapping experience.
- The documentary's producers respected the family's decision not to participate.
The Netflix original documentary "Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart" reveals that Elizabeth Smart's mother, Lois Smart, chose not to participate in new interviews. While archival footage shows her pleading for her daughter's return, Lois Smart opted out of revisiting the traumatic events of the 2002 kidnapping to avoid further emotional distress.
Elizabeth Smart, now a parent herself, expressed understanding of her mother's decision. She noted that reliving such a harrowing experience, especially after it garnered global attention for months, would be profoundly distressing. The family's ordeal began when Elizabeth, then 14, was abducted from her bedroom.
The documentary, available on Netflix, features Elizabeth Smart discussing the aftermath of her rescue, trial, and recovery. Her mother provided unwavering support over the past 24 years, despite her absence from the new interviews.
Director Benedict Sanderson and the production team made a conscious decision not to compel any family members to participate. Elizabeth Smart herself acknowledged that this approach was sensitive and appropriate, prioritizing the family's well-being over potentially added context for entertainment purposes.
