New Netflix doc details the story of vegan restaurant-owner turned on-the-lam fraudster Sarma Melngailis.
Over time, the raw food restaurant developed mysterious fiscal issues and closed in 2015.
Bad Vegandirector Chris Smith was familiar with Melngailis even before her arrest.
Sarma Melngailis.Netflix
“We had ordered a dehydrater.
We were making raw food at home.
I remember I used to look at the cookbooks and it made me feel insignificant.
She looked amazing and everything seemed perfect.
But at the same time it was one of many news stories that came and went.”
Smith realized that he wanted to make a documentary about Melngailis after meeting her around two-and-a-half years ago.
“We found her to be incredibly complicated and complex,” he says.
We looked at that as a good sign."
“That is on the surface what it is.
When you think of going from A to B, it seems inconceivable.
“We tried,” says Smith.
“He was very difficult to find.
Executive producer Fraser reveals that Melngailis is, mostly, happy with the documentary.
“I watched it with her last week,” she says.
There were things she didn’t like but I think ultimately she was relieved.”
So, what is Melngailis doing now?
“I’m secretly hoping she opens a restaurant again,” says Smith.
Bad Veganpremieres on Netflix March 16.
Watch the show’s trailer below.
