Lloyd Kaufman loves independent film, and independent film loves him back. It’s evident in everything about the 54-year-old president and co-founder of Troma Studios.
He also directed and and co-wrote “Poultrygeist, Night of the Chicken Dead,” which had its glorious Blu-ray debut at the Burton Theatre on March 7 as part of the Detroit Independent Film Festival.
“Poultrygeist” tells the story of Arbie (Jason Yachanin), a young man who, after losing his high school sweetheart to the bosom of a collegiate lesbian lover, takes a job as a cashier in a corporate chicken franchise as an act of rebellion.
Arbie comes to his decision after a charming musical interlude featuring protesters of the chicken franchise, which was constructed on sacred “Tromahawk” burial grounds, including his lost love Wendy.
By combining the upset spirits of both Native Americans and the millions of chickens mistreated by corporate food industries, the proprietor of The American Chicken Bunker gives rise to the fowlest creatures to bawk the earth, the poultrygeist.
As the restaurant patrons and employees transform from consuming infected chicken as well as from chicken bites, Arbie is quickly overwhelmed and is only able to survive with the help of Wendy.
“Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead,” like many Troma releases, does not follow a genre-based formula and Kaufman would not have it any other way.
“One of the reasons that Troma is the only [independent] movie studio that has survived for 35 years is we have not followed the formula,” Kaufman said. “I think we’re the longest running independent movie studio in history; if we’re not the longest running we’re certainly the longest running, that hasn’t had a hit.”
Troma Studios has a history of films that stand in staunch opposition to many of the ideals embraced by mainstream production studios. Troma releases, “Poultrygeist” included, don’t accept the notion that a movie has to be pigeon-holed into one genre for it to function.
“It’s very hard for people to categorize our movies,” Kaufman said, “which is a liability because most video stores, theaters and TV companies want to have a straight horror movie or a straight sex-film.”
“Poultrygeist” and Kaufman both don’t take themselves too seriously, which allows for exploration of a different kind of depth.
“Poultrygeist” is very upfront in its critical assessment of corporate business and greed, but the film keeps things light enough that it could hardly be considered preachy. Comedy with a deeper message is hard to deliver consistently, but Kaufman’s prowess has affected a generation of filmmakers and entertainers who can appreciate the importance of a sense of humor sharpened till it can make a point.This has included “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, whose first movie “Cannibal: The Musical” was a Troma release.
Kaufman is quick to acknowledge the people who helped support Troma studios over the years, including owner of Thomas Video, Jim Olenski.
Thomas Video, located at 14 Mile Road and Rochester Road, is a bastion of B-movies and independent film in metro Detroit. Olenksi said how important Kaufman was to the independent film industry.
“He’s made a lot of people aware of the movies without the formulas, the things that go against the grain,” he said. “The lower-budget movies are more creative, period.”
“Poultrygeist” was preceded by a preview for the latest Troma release, “Heavy Mental,” whose writer and director, Mike Hartman was in attendance.
Hartman is part of a younger generation of filmmakers that are working to build on what Kaufman and his partner, Michael Herz, began 35 years ago.
“I’m trying to make movies that I enjoy and I think there’s a lot of people that are into the same thing that I am, and I think they share the Troma spirit,” he said. “Make the world a better place through blood and lesbians.”
Wayne State student Joshua Jankiewicz was excited as he waited for the film to start.
“It’s all about independent cinema, keeping it alive.” Jankiewicz said. “I want to support it, that’s why I’m here … I left class early to get my butt in the seat … it’s a really good alternative to what’s in Hollywood.”
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