The documentary, Popcorn Sutton: A Mountain Man and His Moonshine, follows the incredible life of Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton. He was born and raised in Maggie Valley, North Carolina and is best known for his moonshine. This film captures Popcorn’s last journey to find a spot to make his signature recipe one last time.
Throughout this process, he details how moonshining has been done for decades by hand using natural ingredients like corn, malt, and sugar. He explains that the only way to learn how to make it is by doing it yourself. It takes time and skill to set up the still correctly and securely placed with rocks or mud.
Popcorn’s moonshine was so sought after that people were willing to barter or pay large sums of money just for a jar of it. However, nowadays it can be hard to come by good moonshine due to modern technology making it easier to produce liquor without the labor-intensive practices of old-time bootleggers like Popcorn Sutton.
Popcorn also shares stories from his childhood which includes smoking and drinking at just six years old as well as his four prized possessions: his old lady, A Model Ford car, liquor business, and six cats. As he continues on through this journey producing liquor one last time, Popcorn talks with honesty and simplicity about life in general.
This documentary gives an inside look into Popcorn’s life as well as a glimpse into a culture that has been around since before Prohibition began in 1919 – a culture of traditional moonshiners that are now becoming few and far between. The story told here is raw and real; an emotional glimpse into the life of an American legend. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about Popcorn’s legacy – watch this film now!
