Tribute to Lloyd Kaufman

Lloyd Kaufman is probably the most shameless swindler in the film industry. The swindler is his persona and he does it well. Anyone that’s obsessed with film knows who Lloyd is. You don’t even have to like Troma films to be a fan of him. Lloyd Kaufman is Troma studios. His long (Troma is the longest running Independent film studio) involvement in the film industry alone demands respect.

Lloyd has also brought us the iconic Toxie monster hero of The Toxic Avenger. Toxie even made his way to being a kid’s action figure. That’s a pretty extreme change from the same guy that had peddled cheap sex (he still does this). His newest film Poultrygeist (shot on 35mm) has supposedly put Lloyd in the monetary crapper (he used his own money for it). Hopefully the film will make it to more theaters and make Lloyd some of his well earned bread back.

Tonight, I watched The Toxic Avenger for the fourth or fifth time. It’s a complete piece of cheap trash and I love every minute of it. The film features everything you could ever desire in being entertained. The killing of animals (and on top of it a seeing eye dog), child killing, senior citizen beating / killing, homicidal hero, and transgendered criminals. The best part of all these taboo filled scenes is that they are featured in a film that has a very formulaic Hollywood structure (and Lloyd still screwed that up). These sub versions of Hollywood no nos have enabled Mr. Kaufman to make a name for his self in film history.

Lloyd also lets the viewer know that he’s not a fan of Richard Nixon, mean jocks, fast food (which he goes back to in his new film Poultrygeist), Nazi cops, and nuclear waste being transported by fans of the rich man’s candy. Lloyd Kaufman is no doubt an auteur. Many of Lloyds themes of perverted sex, bodily dismemberment, car crashes, ugly guys wearing makeup, and animal abuse (he’s also a proud supporter of PETA) can be seen in his sizable library of films. Class of Nuke ‘Em High, Troma’s War, Tromeo and Juliet, and Terror Firmer are other great films Lloyd has brought us. I just hope he decides to make an autobiographical film based on his long career (directed by Giuseppe Andrews).

-Ty E

Poutltrygeist Teaser Trailer