TIFF 09: One-on-one with Kristin Booth

Kristin Booth is clearly a Canadian actress on a mission. With three films premiering at this year's film festival it seems that not only is her star status on the rise, but so is her passion to promote Canadian flicks. We sat down with the adorable, down-to-earth actress during her busy TIFF schedule to chat about films, her involvement in raising awareness of violence against women, and fashion.

ELLECanada.com: You have a busy year this year at TIFF! Tell us about the films you have featured.
Kristin Booth: I actually have three this year! Crackie, Defendor and Imaginary Lovers. Luckily I'm not really starring in any of them, I'm in the supporting cast of al of them, so it's easier in that case. Imaginary Lovers is a film installation piece by Don McKellar. For this piece, it's about 15 minutes long. I shot it with Don in 2005 as part of this new media inititative. He shot the video with the first video cell phone. He picked different actresses playing ex-girlfriends from around the world and had the characters send a video love letter to her ex-lover. It's quite moving and the pixilated look gives it a real feeling.

In Crackie (a drama about the hardships of living in Newfoundland, directed by Sherry White) I play a hairdressing instructor and she's basically this inspirational teacher for the main character brilliantly played by Meghan Greeley.

It's funny actually because in my role in Defendor (a comedy about a man who believes he's a super hero, directed by Peter Stebbings), I play a mother figure -- I stress figure -- to Woody Harrelson's character, so interestingly enough both characters are actually kind of similar because they are both very nurturing and warm and they both play the role of someone who makes people at ease, someone who is easily trusted. So the characters are actually similar in that respect, but the films are complete opposites. And the characters are in other respects, completely different, but their core is very similar.

EC: What made you drawn to those roles?
KB: I like to challenge myself, so I like to play characters that different form me. With these two characters it was much easier for me to access the things I needed to play them, because they are in some ways similar to me. But really both these roles or jobs were less about the individual role and more about the film and the people behind it. Both films are first time feature writers and directors and both friends of mine, people that I look up to respect and admire. I have no doubt that they (Peter Stebbings and Sherry White) will be successful and will have critical acclaim.

EC: You seem to be very patriotical when picking your roles.
KB: It's really not a patriotical thing. It's more about the people I have met and I have worked with. You know, there's an abundance of talent in this country that needs its home coming of sorts. It needs to be celebrated. There are so many, wonderful, talented people in the film business here and I want to help show that. I want to transcend boarders by doing Canadian films. A lot of people leave and think they have to leave to get work. And I want to disintegrate that stigma. (laughs) Or at least try to!

EC: Are you leaving in LA, or Toronto?
KB: Both. I just bought a house in Toronto. I do love LA, with the beaches and it's gorgeous, but my friends and family are in Toronto, so I spend most of my time here.

EC: What's next for you film-wise?
KB: Well, I'd love to have a bay in the next year or so, so we will see. But up next I am in Vancouver with another film called At Home by Myself with You. It's a quirky, romantic comedy about a woman who never leaves her apartment who falls in love with a world traveler and the comedy ensues. It's sort of like Amelie crossed with When Harry Met Sally.

Kristin's cause and fave fashion finds on the next page ...

We pick the top must-see films from TIFF 09