Lloyd Kaufman’s Troma goes in a new direction with Purge

Troma’s most recent acquisition, Purge, stretches the boundaries of science fiction and the age range of Troma’s audience. An original creation of Australian writer-director David King, Purge offers something previous youth-only-oriented Troma films have not: a point of identification for the Baby Boomer generation.

King spent his 1970s rebelling through a camera lens. Part of the legendary Melbourne Filmmakers Cooperative, King began making risky, experimental films while still a student at the Gordon Institute of Technology. His work has since drawn on the influence of Peter Greenaway, Jean-Luc Godard, and Stanley Kubrick. This most recent result of his expertise, Purge is an avant-garde work of art that uses commercials, interviews, and newscasts, along with a more traditional narrative, to fully engage the viewer in a world where genetic engineering trumps individuality and turns outcasts into criminals.

“It will really resonate with those of us who are former hippies and student radicals and who were fans of avant-garde cinema,” stated King.

Traditional younger Troma fans need not worry, though.

“The great thing about Purge – well, one of the many great things – is that it’s still entirely relevant to the younger generations. It has the story and the action that will appeal to them,” explained Lloyd Kaufman, “but, unlike The Toxic Avenger which specifically targeted the under-30 crowd, Purge offers a message that will also reach an older audience!”

Purge stars Sarah Breen, Michael F Cahill, Mark Doggett, Steven Haar, John Francis Howard, Damon Hunter, Brendan Kaufmann, Greg Marian, Frances Marrington, Meda Royall and Erin Walsh. The story centers on Layla (Breen), who only wants was to fit in and be happy in a genetically-engineered world, and the nemesis who wouldn’t let her.