The Trotsky Directed by Jacob Tierney, 2009

“The Trotsky is good. Baruchel holds his own with dignity, poise and vulnerability that is both endearing and sincere.” Scallywag & Bagabond; Casey Jones

In this hilarious comedy, Leon Bronstein (Jay Baruchel, Tropic Thunder) is an unusually intense teenager who believes, with an incredible sense of purpose, that his name defines his destiny. Like his “namesake” Leon Trotsky, the celebrated Russian revolutionary and socialist theorist, Leon must do all he can–using his handy flash cards—to throw off the mantle of the rich and the privileged class.

When Leon’s father (Saul Rubinek, Warehouse 13) gives his son a part-time job at the family clothing factory and within a day Leon is leading his fellow workers in a sit-down strike, he is punished by being sent to public school. There the would-be revolutionary finds new ways to battle fascism—represented by Principal Berkhoff (Colm Feore, 24) and Mrs. Davis (Domini Blythe), a teacher eager to give her students detention. Leon’s pursuit of social justice leads him to Frank (Michael Murphy, X-Men: The Last Stand), a burned-out activist turned college professor, and Frank’s thesis student, named Alexandra (Emily Hampshire) like Trotsky’s great love, who Leon believes to be his future bride.

Bonus Features

Interview with Director Jacob Tierney; Trotsky Bloopers: Deleted Scenes

Awards:

2009 Atlantic Film Festival: Audience Award Winner; 2010 Sofia International Film Festival: Audience Award Winner; 2009 Tokyo International Film Festival: Audience Award Winner; Tokyo Grand Prix Nomination;