The Satanic Panic - a phenomenon of the 1980s and '90s - was a terrifying rollercoaster for all involved. Accusations of child sacrifice ruined lives as the public sought answers for why everyone suddenly seemed to have been victims of Satanists and Satanic rituals. Amplified by the Catholic Church, law enforcement and daytime TV, rumours of these cults made their way through fearful communities, creating a witch hunt for anyone believed to be part of alleged Satanic worship groups.

At the centre of this conspiracy was a book called "Michelle Remembers," a memoir published in 1980 by Canadian psychiatrist Larry Pazder and his patient Michelle Smith in which Smith's recounted false memories where she was abducted and tortured by a satanic cult in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

The new documentary, "Satan Wants You," describes the experiences of the satanic panic, how the memoir (,Michelle Remembers,) sparked it, and exposes how a lie from a Canadian patient and doctor became an enduring myth. The film was featured at HotDocs and SXSW, and its filmmakers Sean Horlor and Steve J. Adams speak to Colin Ellis and Nam Kiwanuka on this episode of TVO's On Docs podcast. They dissect the chilling story and production behind "Satan Wants You," and the satanic panic phenomenon of the 1980s and '90s.

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TVO Today is a trusted source of insight and information about life in Ontario and beyond. Our award-winning current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts explore relevant issues and inspiring solutions. Visit https://www.tvo.org for more.

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The Satanic Panic - a phenomenon of the 1980s and '90s - was a terrifying rollercoaster for all involved. Accusations of child sacrifice ruined lives as the public sought answers for why everyone suddenly seemed to have been victims of Satanists and Satanic rituals. Amplified by the Catholic Church, law enforcement and daytime TV, rumours of these cults made their way through fearful communities, creating a witch hunt for anyone believed to be part of alleged Satanic worship groups. At the centre of this conspiracy was a book called "Michelle Remembers," a memoir published in 1980 by Canadian psychiatrist Larry Pazder and his patient Michelle Smith in which Smith's recounted false memories where she was abducted and tortured by a satanic cult in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The new documentary, "Satan Wants You," describes the experiences of the satanic panic, how the memoir (,Michelle Remembers,) sparked it, and exposes how a lie from a Canadian patient and doctor became an enduring myth. The film was featured at HotDocs and SXSW, and its filmmakers Sean Horlor and Steve J. Adams speak to Colin Ellis and Nam Kiwanuka on this episode of TVO's On Docs podcast. They dissect the chilling story and production behind "Satan Wants You," and the satanic panic phenomenon of the 1980s and '90s.
Stay connected to On Docs and TVO’s latest documentaries: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/">https://www.tvo.org/</a>
Listen to more TVO Podcasts: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/podcasts">https://www.tvo.org/podcasts</a>
Subscribe to TVO Media Education Group newsletters: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHJqcWMyMmRqN3ZvMXh5R3dIRnNNUXVWU0trQXxBQ3Jtc0tsdGZlb25WdFRERmRZS2dUMTkwSkpTWm00bElzdFd6MmVpbno0QUIzV1lQazhEVVZGVFRmS2tFUkJfRVQ5QUpmaXUzRndsVE1aYXdXdjBHc2Zrbzl0NTYyZDBHVHUwcU13RXpxc0RZUlE0MkRBMjd3Zw&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tvo.org%2Fnewsletters&amp;v=3I3I3xhX1AE">https://www.tvo.org/newsletters</a>
Follow Nam Kiwanuka on Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/namshine">https://twitter.com/namshine</a>
Follow Colin Ellis on Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/ColinEllis81">https://twitter.com/ColinEllis81</a>
Get the TVO Today app: App Store: <a href="https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/tvo-today/id1616182112">https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/tvo-today/id1616182112</a>
Google Play <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.tvo.tvomediaapp&amp;pli=1">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.tvo.tvomediaapp&amp;pli=1</a>
TVO Today is a trusted source of insight and information about life in Ontario and beyond. Our award-winning current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts explore relevant issues and inspiring solutions. Visit <a href="https://www.tvo.org">https://www.tvo.org</a> for more.
Donate to TVO: <a href="http://tvo.org/give" data-ogsc="">http://tvo.org/give</a>

Join Colin Ellis and Nam Kiwanuka for this podcast on documentaries and the stories they tell. They'll introduce you to filmmakers who give us fascinating takes on people, perspectives and what it means to be human.

Join Colin Ellis and Nam Kiwanuka for this podcast on documentaries and the stories they tell. They'll introduce you to filmmakers who give us fascinating takes on people, perspectives and what it means to be human.

Join Colin Ellis for this podcast on documentaries and the stories they tell. He'll introduce you to filmmakers who give us fascinating takes on people, perspectives and what it means to be human.

On Docs

Join Colin Ellis and Nam Kiwanuka for this podcast on documentaries and the stories they tell. They'll introduce you to filmmakers who give us fascinating takes on people, perspectives, and what it means to be human.

Join Colin Ellis and Nam Kiwanuka for this podcast on documentaries and the stories they tell. They'll introduce you to filmmakers who give us fascinating takes on people, perspectives, and what it means to be human.

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