Save the last dance
by: Amy Spencer

When Morgan Spurlock made a documentary about eating at McDonald’s every day and showed his health suffering from the consequences, it was only a matter of time before some took tried to spurn Spurlock, showing they could eat healthy and lose weight even while dining at the same restaurant.

While some reactions may be a stretch, others may come naturally.

As the Sundance festival has gone on for years, other “Dances” have come and gone as a statement to the festival. And now only a handful of them remain. Among them you’ll find TromaDance, rede- fining what an independent film festival is.

Troma founder Lloyd Kaufman started the festival in 2000 after a nudge from South Park’s Trey Parker and Matt Stone. “[Parker and Stone] were very, very set on going to the Sundance Film Festival and they had submitted ‘Cannibal! The Musical’ and they had paid the submission fee and then they never even got a ‘fuck you’ letter. We all went anyway. [During the festival] they took a place in a banquet or meeting room and had this one-movie film festival right during Sundance.” Kaufman explained in a phone interview.

When Robert Redford caught wind of this, he had some unpleasant words, according to Kaufman. “This was an outrageous thing to do during Sundance snobbery.” Kaufman said.

As a veteran of independent filmmaking, his own company going into its 33rd year, Kaufman was appalled to find the festival in such a state. “I was shocked by the disdain that the Sundance gang seemed to have for my company, and not just my company, but for the independent filmmakers who were walking the streets, who were genuinely idealistic,” the Kaufman said. “I was absolutely appalled that what was supposed to be this ground zero for independent art was in fact a place that seemed to hate independent art.”

With the encouragement of the irreverent “South Park” boys, the director of “The Toxic Avenger” and “Class of Nuke’em High” launched TromaDance only a few years later.

Now celebrating its eighth year, TromaDance has become a well-attended event where Kaufman touts his “for the people, by the people” sentiments. Filmmakers are not asked to pay a submission fee, and people who want to watch a movie are welcome to participate free of charge. And you won’t find a VIP list or preferential treatment to any of the panels, parties or movies.

“It’s not a very good business model,” Kaufman said with a laugh. “We have to try to get sponsors and accommodations, and it’s all very tough because all the rich people who sell jewelry and perfume to the Sundance celebrities take a lot of the condos and venues. All the places to screen on Main Street are all taken up [by people] who pay $20,000 a day.”

In the time that TromaDance has been a part of the winter film festival scene, Kaufman feels his message has been well-received. His statement in last year’s program made mention of seeing more independent films showing up at Sundance as well as notice of being treated better by Sundance volunteers. “Somebody, a newspaper, said that TromaDance was the conscience of Sundance,” Kaufman added.

Support for TromaDance in many ways comes straight from the wallets of its fans. Just last week Las Vegas was the host of Tromapalooza, a festival and fundraiser helping to raise fundraising TromaDance other have including parallels every independent contributions it sponsors content,” to Jennifer latest the frequently raise the notch on Toxie’s fundraising chart found on the front of the TromaDance Web site.

Fundraising Tromapalooza’s and other Troma-inspired gatherings have been held across the globe — including Germany, where Tromanale parallels the Berlinale film festival every year.

“Most of our fans are poor, independent filmmakers, so a lot of the contributions are $20 and $50, but it all adds up. Also, we have to have sponsors who don’t care about the content,” Kaufman said. “We have to have sponsors who are OK if Jennifer Aniston isn’t in the movies.”

As he finishes production on his latest film, “Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead,” Kaufman is frequently asked for advice from up-and-coming filmmakers. “Shakespeare said it all: To thine own self be true. Do what you believe in.”

His feelings on Hollywood moviemaking might not be what one would expect. In fact, notable names from the silver screen, including Oliver Stone and James Gunn, have started in Tromaville. “I believe you’ve got to pursue your vision. That’s what art is all about. If it’s not what you are interested in, then you go out to Hollywood and play that game,” Kaufman said.

During TromaDance one can find Troma movie characters, including Toxie and Sgt. Kabukiman as well as the sexy “tromettes,” wearing something far-too-revealing for these frigid temperatures.

You can also find Lloyd Kaufman, an approachable man grinning from ear to ear, sharing his message about independent film and welcoming everybody who participates.

As Kaufman would sum it all up, “Let’s make some art!”