NFB Collection
The Back-breaking Leaf
195929 min 30 secFilm: Documentary
Direction: Terence Macartney-Filgate
Production: Roman KroitorWolf KoenigTom Daly
Script: Stanley Jackson
Smokers say it's relaxing, but tobacco harvesters call it "the back-breaking leaf." Here is a graphic picture of the tobacco harvest in southwestern Ontario, presented from the points of view of the transient field workers who move in for a brief bonanza when the leaves are ripe, and of the farmers who depend solely on this crop. A 1959 black and white production.
Availability
Other versions
Subject categories
- Agriculture > Crops - Cultivation and HarvestingOntarioSocial Issues
- Work and Labour Relations > Working ConditionsWorking Life
- Diversity > Diversity in CommunitiesIdentity
- Geography > Natural ResourcesTerritory: Agricultural
- History > World History
Credits
- director
- Terence Macartney-Filgate
- camera
- Terence Macartney-Filgate
- assistant director
- Gilles Gascon
- editing
- John Spotton
- sound
- Terence Macartney-Filgate
- Victor Merrill
- George Croll
- music
- Eldon Rathburn
- commentary
- Stanley Jackson
- producer
- Roman Kroitor
- Wolf Koenig
- executive producer
- Tom Daly
Awards
- Blue Ribbon Award - Category: Agriculture, Conservation and Natural ResourcesItinerant - American Film and Video Festival
- Eurovision Grand Prix - Documentary FilmInternational Film Festival
- Diploma of Merit - Category: Films dealing with the problems of people at workInternational Labour and Industrial Film Triennal