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Plot
Bright Leaves weaves a tale as rich and complex as the tobacco fields of North Carolina, a state renowned for its prodigious production of this contentious crop. This deeply personal journey is helmed by native son Ross McElwee, a descendant of the visionary mind behind the celebrated Bull Durham tobacco brand. Straddling the realms of comedy, autobiography, and contemplation, McElwee's odyssey delves into the captivating charm of cigarettes and the profound implications they hold for his beloved home state.
The film is as much an exploration of family legacy as it is a testament to the power of addiction and denial. McElwee, acclaimed director of Sherman's March, wrestles with the shadows of a forgotten Hollywood melodrama allegedly inspired by his great-grandfather's extraordinary life. Bright Leaves is an introspective tapestry of tobacco's social, economic, and psychological impact on North Carolina, interwoven with a filmmaker's quest for understanding the echoes of his lineage and the paradoxical allure of the leaf that shaped it.
Where to watch Bright Leaves?
Bright Leaves is a documentary movie featuring Ross McElwee.
Bright Leaves is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Fandor Amazon Channel and OVID.