Kristin Booth stars in two films

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Local actress Kristin Booth's latest project may garner headlines for its risque title, but the rising star feels it's only a matter of time before it turns heads for all the right reasons.

Booth will appear in two films in the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with one, Young People F**king, already earning a good deal of press, largely because of its titillating name.

"It's definitely creating some buzz now, but people will realize when they see it that the film deserves even more buzz on its own, without the title," she said. "It's very relatable, and the kind of movie where people will hopefully leave with a stomachache from laughing."

In the film, Booth plays Abby, one half of a monogamous couple who have grown so comfortable in their relationship that it becomes stripped of passion. She was instantly drawn to the script, which struck her as being considerably more realistic than most romantic comedies.

"It's probably the first script I've read in a long time where I would find myself laughing out loud to myself a lot," she said. "It's well-written and authentic, the kind of writing where you think, 'Oh my god, I've had this conversation before.'"

The film also represents a departure for the actress in that she has starred primarily in dramas and thrillers throughout a long career that has included appearances in such films as Detroit Rock City, Cruel Intentions 2 and television stints on ReGenesis, Puppets Who Kill and Traders. Her guest work on ReGenesis earned her a Gemini Award in 2005.

Booth enjoyed testing out her comedic chops in Young People, and relished being given the opportunity to stretch her own boundaries. The actress wants to pursue both funny and serious roles in the future, noting the lack of comedic works on her resume is simply a result of the current trends in Canadian film and television.

"In Canada, we don't do a lot of comedy these days," she said. "In the U.S., it seems like there's a sitcom on every other channel, but up here most of our comedians have come from improv backgrounds and it can be hard to find comedic outlets."

Booth added she was more in tune with the dramatic side of things throughout her formal theatre training at what was then called Ryerson Polytechnic University. Her dramatic skills certainly came in handy in her lesser-known TIFF film, This Beautiful City, in which she plays Pretty, a drug-addicted prostitute with bipolar disorder.

"That was definitely a real challenge, playing a character like her, but I was open to that challenge," she said. "I really love being able to play a different range of characters in very different roles."

Booth discovered her passion for trying on different masks at an early age, having appeared on stage in a Summerstock production at the age of 12.

"It was the first time I ever realized that you could get paid to do this," she said. "I think I only made about $50 that whole summer, but I saw adults doing it for a living. I was on the fast track after that, and never really thought of doing anything else."

Since then, she has managed to fit some theatrical work into her filming schedule, working with the prestigious Soulpepper Theatre Company in both 2001 and 2005. Though she enjoys the intimacy of film and television, Booth wants to remain active in the live theatre scene as well.

"There's something really exhilarating about being on stage, because when it's live, you don't get a second chance if you mess up," she said.

Whether on stage or on the screen, either situation suits Booth's personality more than a typical day job. She thrives on variety, whether constantly tackling new roles or continually working with new people.

"I'm not stuck at a desk with the same group every day," she said. "I love collaborating with different actors, makeup, wardrobe, the whole deal."

Booth is also interested in producing and directing, with an eye both toward putting up her own writing and that of her screenwriter husband Tim Ware. In the meantime, she is enjoying life in Midtown Toronto, where she and Ware live with two dogs.

"It's convenient and central, so I can get to wherever I want, and can walk really quickly to Yorkville or Yonge and Bloor," she said. "But there are also a lot of green areas around there, so when we're at home, it doesn't feel like we're in the middle of the city."

Both Young People F**king and This Beautiful City will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and both have distributors which could lead to a wider release in the future.