Forest for the Trees (2021): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2021, Forest for the Trees is a documentary film directed by Rita Leistner, running about 91 minutes. “You can’t plant a tree without believing in the future.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Award-winning war photographer Rita Leistner goes back to her roots as a tree planter in the wilderness of British Columbia, offering an inside take on the grueling, sometimes fun and always life-changing experience of restoring Canada’s forests. Leistner, who has photographed some of the world’s most dangerous places, credits the challenge of tree-planting for her physical and mental endurance. In Forest for the Trees, her first feature film, she revisits her past to share the lessons she learned. The film introduces us to everyday life on the “cut-block” and the brave souls who fight through rough terrains and work endless hours to bring our forests to life. The rugged BC landscape comes to life magically in Leistner’s photography, while the quirky characters and nuggets of wisdom shared around the campfire tell a sincere story of community.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Forest for the Trees page.

If you liked it. Fans of Forest for the Trees tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.