Emily Hampshire talks 'Trotsky'

By MARK DANIELL -- For JAM! Movies

Actress Emily Hampshire co-stars in writer-director Jacob Tierney's comedy 'The Trotsky.'

The Trotsky is a zany comedy that follows the adventures of an eccentric Montreal teen (Jay Baruchel), who thinks he's the reincarnation of Bolshevik revolutionary Leon Trotsky, and his leading lady, played by Gemini-winning Emily Hampshire.

JAM! caught up with Hampshire on a busy pre-TIFF afternoon for a quick e-interview to find out which celeb she hopes to bump into and if she has a secret for party-crashing.

Q: You're here with The Trotsky. Tell us what it's about in 20 words or less?

A: 17-year-old Leon Bronstein believes he's the reincarnation of Russian Revolutionary Leon Trotsky and sets out to fulfill his destiny.

Q: Jay Baruchel seems like a funny guy. Did he play any pranks while you were on set?

A: Hahaha! (Sorry I think the word 'pranks' is funny for some reason) No. He was just plain funny.

Q: You've been in a lot of stuff, but what do you consider to be your biggest break?

A: I feel like my biggest break is my next movie. But in terms of kicking off my career up until now it would probably be the film Boy Meets Girl. It was my first starring role opposite Sean Astin and it was my first TIFF experience.

Q: How has having an LA address helped your career?

A: I work more in Canada and when I do, I get put up in a nice hotel with a great per diem :-)

Q: What sets TIFF apart from other film festivals?

A: For me it's that I'm always made to feel...um, INVITED here. Maybe there is a bit of a 'home court advantage' in that.

Q: If you could meet one actor or director at TIFF this year, who would it be?

A: Samantha Morton. She's directed a film this year, you know!? I was so excited when I saw that.

Q: So, you see Samantha in the Four Seasons lobby. What do you say?

A: HONESTLY? I would say nothing, I can't start conversations like that. I would just hope she would spill something on me or something so then I could say, "That's ok...I think you’re really something so I'll cherish that stain."

Q: Do you plan to crash any parties? If so, what's your technique?

A: Oooh NO! No no, getting into the parties I have invites for is hard enough.

Q: What movie are you most looking forward to seeing other than your own?

A: I'd like to see Samantha Morton's film The Unloved. Gosh...it really seems like I have a girl crush here but you asked me that RIGHT after I was thinking about her so...? Not a stalker!

Q: As a Canadian, do you feel like this is more your festival?

A: I do. Also because TIFF was my first festival.

Q: What's next?

A: My big break! I'll be back with Baruchel this January in Montreal to start shooting Jacob Tierney’s next feature called Notre Dame De Grace based on Chrystine Brouillet's novel Chère Voisine.

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