Carter Country

A film by Bobby Buccellato

Carter Country is a feature-length documentary that chronicles the extraordinary two-year journey of Jimmy Carter, America’s most unlikely presidential candidate, and the small Georgia town that stood behind him every step of the way. Through the lens of Plains, Georgia, a community of just 700 residents, the film captures the forgotten spirit of 1976, a pivotal moment when a humble Southern town unexpectedly became the political capital of the world during one of the most remarkable presidential campaigns in American history.

Written and directed by author, historian, and American Presidency Project special assistant Bobby Buccellato, Carter Country is a story of hope, community, and the enduring power of coming home. The documentary explores how Plains transformed from a quiet rural town into the center of a national movement that forever changed the American political landscape.

Blending newly filmed footage of historic locations throughout Plains with rare photographs, extensive archival materials, actor-performed voiceovers, and never-before-seen footage from the 1976 election, the film brings this defining chapter of American history vividly to life. Told with a measured, thematic approach, Carter Country focuses not only on Jimmy Carter’s path to the White House but also on the people and places that made his unlikely rise possible.

Featuring a voice cast of more than 40 performers, many of whom are Plains residents and members of the Carter family portraying their own historic relatives, the film offers an authentic and deeply personal perspective. Josh Carter voices his grandfather President Jimmy Carter, while Kim Carter Fuller and Buddy Fuller portray Lillian and Billy Carter. The cast also includes Tallahassee City Commissioner Jack Porter, County Commissioner David O’Keefe, activist Josh Johnson, along with an array of historians, artists, and public officials who create a diverse and colorful American chorus of voices and perspectives.

Enhanced by original artwork from Kenny Maguire, photography by former Time magazine photographer Ken Hawkins, and rare archival discoveries, Carter Country is both an intimate portrait of a small town and a compelling reflection on an era when grassroots politics, civic optimism, and community spirit reshaped the future of a nation.

Credits

• Bobby Buccellato – Director
• Bobby Buccellato – Writer
• Adam Baumel – Producer
• Bobby Buccellato – Producer
• Jacob Eaton – Producer
• Kartik Krishnaiyer – Producer
• Margaret O’neill – Producer
• Josh Carter – “Jimmy Carter “
• Kim Carter Fuller – “Lillian Gordy Carter”
• Buddy Fuller – “Billy Carter “
• Riley Barr – “Amy Carter”
• LeAnne Smith – “Rosalynn Carter”
• Matthew Algeo – “Dan Carter”
• Chris Hahn – “Gerald Rafshoon”
• Bert Hartsfield – “Hugh Carter”
• Josh Johnson – “Alex Haley”
• Jack Porter – “Greek Chorus”
• David O’Keefe – “Greek Chorus”