Name: Bright Leaves
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2004
Duration: 108 min
Cast: Ross McElwee, Brian Baucom, Susan Bennett, Ed Bivens, R. Bullock

What Bright Leaves Is About

Ross McElwee travels the tobacco country of North Carolina looking into the mark that growing and smoking tobacco has left on the South. The journey has a personal reason: his great grandfather was once one of the region’s large tobacco manufacturers and lost everything to a rival. The director thinks that story is told in Bright Leaf, the 1950 melodrama Michael Curtiz made with Gary Cooper, and measures his own documentary against that film. Along the way the account also counts what tobacco has cost the families of the region and their health. Ross McElwee’s hundred and eight minute American documentary was completed in 2004 and is one of the examples of the personal documentary tradition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bright Leaves about?

Ross McElwee travels the tobacco country of North Carolina looking into the mark that growing and smoking tobacco has left on the South. The journey has a personal reason: his great grandfather was once one of the region’s large tobacco manufacturers and lost everything to a rival.

Where can I watch Bright Leaves?

Bright Leaves is available to watch on digital platforms such as Philo, OVID, Cineverse Amazon Channel. Current rent and buy options are listed in the "Where to Watch" section on this page.

How long is Bright Leaves?

Bright Leaves runs for 108 minutes (1h 48m).

When did Bright Leaves come out?

Bright Leaves was released in 2004.

Who directed Bright Leaves?

Bright Leaves was directed by Ross McElwee.

Who stars in Bright Leaves?

Bright Leaves stars Ross McElwee, Brian Baucom, Susan Bennett, Ed Bivens.

What is Bright Leaves's rating?

Bright Leaves holds 7.1/10 on IMDb and 7.0/10 on TMDB. Its Pulse Score is 68 out of 100.