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.
Acting
Baruchel commits so hard to the bit you almost believe him.
Writing
Smart script that actually knows its revolutionary history.
Direction
Tierney balances absurdist comedy with genuine political heart.
Director
Jacob Tierney
Jay Baruchel
Leon
Emily Hampshire
Alexandra Leith
Geneviève Bujold
Denise Archambault
Colm Feore
Principal Berkhoff
Jessica Paré
Laura
Tommie-Amber Pirie
Sarah Bronstein
Kaniehtiio Horn
Caroline
Erika Rosenbaum
Becca
Saul Rubinek
David Bronstein
Michael Murphy
Frank McGovern
David Julian Hirsh
Eli Bronstein
Jesse Rath
Dwight
Liane Balaban
Nadza
Dan Beirne
Dan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jay Baruchel grew up in Montreal and insisted on shooting there; the film's hyper-specific West Island setting is his actual childhood stomping ground.
Released in 2010, it satirized activist culture just before Occupy Wall Street made Leon's rhetoric accidentally relevant again.
CA
US
