The Trotsky (2009)

A Montreal high school student who believes he is the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky starts a revolution against apathy among his fellow students.

Director:

Jacob Tierney

Writer:

Jacob Tierney

Stars:

Liane Balaban, Jay Baruchel, Taylor Baruchel

9 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Liane Balaban	...	Nadza
Jay Baruchel	...	Leon Bronstein
Taylor Baruchel	...	School Girl #2
Dan Beirne	...	Dan (as Daniel Beirne)
Domini Blythe	...	Mrs. Davis
Jonathan Bosco	...	Horne (Kid in Costume)
Hélène Bourgeois Leclerc	...	Female Cop
Justin Bradley	...	Jimmy
Geneviève Bujold	...	Denise Archambault
Anne-Marie Cadieux	...	Anna Bronstein
Jesse Camacho	...	Skip
Cecile Cristobal	...	TV Reporter Haiyan Zhang
Darren Curtis	...	Taxi Driver
Paul Doucet	...	Male Cop
Guy Dufaux	...	Homeless Person

Storyline

Leon Bronstein is not your average Montreal West high school student. For one thing, none of his peers can claim to be the reincarnation of early 20th century Soviet iconoclast and Red Army hero, Leon Trotsky. When his father sends Leon to public school as punishment for starting a hunger strike at Papa's clothing factory, Leon quickly lends new meaning to the term 'student union', determined as he is to live out his pre-ordained destiny to the fullest and change the world.

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Plot Keywords:

school | student | high school | reincarnation | private school | 

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Taglines:

La révolution, ça commence au secondaire

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Canada

Language:

English French Russian Hebrew German

Release Date:

5 May 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

High School Revolution

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 6,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Park Ex Pictures,The Harold Greenberg Fund

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jay Baruchel's sister, Taylor Baruchel, not only has a supporting role in this film, but shares a birthday with the real Leon Trotsky.

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Quotes

Leon: What the hell are you afraid of? Letting somebody love you?
Alexandra Leith: No, Leon, I'm afraid of who will play me in the TV movie about us.

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Crazy Credits

After credits a usually confused Leon is seen walking up to a bench and sitting on it in a jump suit.

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Connections

Spoofs Barbarella (1968)

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Soundtracks

A Woman's Love Is Never Done
Written by Al Lerner, Victor Corpora
Lerner Music and Marble Music c/o Pig Factory
Performed by Al Lerner
Courtesy of Lee Silver Productions c/o Pig Factory

User Reviews

A light watch for the socially inclined

By no means should one watch this film expecting a display of artistic profundity. For preventive measures, I should go so far as to even warn the observant and diligent viewer that one shouldn't expect even a modestly refined film here. As it does, effectively, preserve those prevalent formulaic variables of film which aficionados have come to despise so vehemently: the typical roller coaster relationship; the target objective that always seems so very far away, yet somehow the protagonist manages to overcome those countless obstacles and succeed; the strained relationship that concludes so predictably. It gets very tiresome, and, frankly, in the book of any wise movie goer these should stand out as the trademarks of ineptness. Nothing great has earned that title by conforming well to established routines and expectations--one would believe a film inspired by Trotsky would understand this much.

Nonetheless, this hardly makes the film less enjoyable, just not well disposed to reside amongst the ranks of the truly memorable. If one is disposed to counter-culture as I am, then one should not hesitate to watch this film, despite its many shortcomings one will laugh often and maybe even discover some relatable experiences therein. Treat this film as a variant of the common mass-produced comedy with a twist in the favor of those of a progressive nature.