Whether or not you partake in their films, you have probably heard of Troma Entertainment and grasped the company’s energy. The fun, crude, unique, and underdog vibe you’ve come to expect is fully on display in Occupy Cannes. However, the new documentary also reveals a surprising amount of heart. It also showcases a rather large chosen family of misfits that keep that heart beating.
When Troma was founded in 1974 by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz they were met with a certain level of respect. The studio was also invited to festivals like Cannes Film Fest and were celebrated for being the leaders of a very gooey and indie subgenre. However, over the decades this company has been left on the outside looking in. Cannes began selecting bigger studios with less monsters and more money and stopped inviting Troma. So, the company decided to invite themselves in 2013 and record the shenanigans. While doing press for Return to Nuke ‘Em High and drawing attention to how the fest treats their group, they also assembled a documentary.
Who Are The Festivals For?
Occupy Cannes serves as a Troma time capsule bridging old and new fans across decades. It’s also inspiring as it reminds us to believe in ourselves even if it feels like no one else does. The documentary highlights the problem of prestigious film festivals locking out indie filmmakers as they look for more mainstream titles. If major festivals are helping to create a popularity contest to the point that they are shutting out studios that have been around over 50 years, then that makes things look extra bleak for newer companies. That also does a huge disservice to cinephiles who know the most memorable films are usually off of the beaten path.
The film is helmed by Lloyd’s daughter Lily Hayes Kaufman who captures her dad in all of chaotic glory. Whether he’s showing too much while mooning the camera, or being very vocal about his thoughts on a situation. We are given the unfiltered persona most of us have come to expect. She also manages to make room amongst the levity to honor Troma members who have passed away since filming. This results in the Occupy Cannes’ chaos being anchored in something intimate and sincere. It’s such a large window into this functionally dysfunctional group that it’s easy to understand how their numbers continue to grow.
Occupy Cannes is a weird little dose of nostalgia, heart, and humour. You’ll dig it if you’re a fan of the Troma crew. More importantly, you’ll still dig it even if you’re not a fan of Troma Entertainment’s unusual offerings. At least, if you’re the type of person who roots for the little guys and can still laugh in 2025.
Occupy Cannes screened July 31 as part of this year’s Fantasia Film Festival.
