Independent Film Festival Boston 2009

Director Michael Paul Stephenson in attendance.

Pop culture has a funny way of making room for some truly awful contributions through the miracle of the cult following. Hence,the phenomenon that is Troll 2--an inconceivably poor piece of cinema from 1990. Some of its actors promptly disappeared from the industry; the others had the good sense to excise this straight-to-video "horror" film from their resumes. An inscrutable plot, ludicrous dialogue, miserable performances, and wretched visual effects earn this gem a prominent spot on any "Worst of All Time" list worth its salt. Yet, unbeknownst to its humiliated cast, the movie gradually accrued a startling number of passionate disciples. When its star George Hardy (Michael Waits) got wind of a high-profile Troll 2 party in Manhattan, he went to find out what the heck was going on––and was catapulted into electrifying celebrity.

So begins a trip through the looking glass into the wilds of unexpected fame. Behind the camera is Michael Stephenson, who played Troll 2’s heroic child Joshua Waits. He chronicles a series of public appearances by the half-bewildered cast and crew––including some hilariously awkward engagements featuring Troll 2’s Italian director, Claudio Fragasso, who is unabashedly standing by his art. But irrepressible George is the glue holding the whole ride together. His buoyant personality and the sheer joy he takes from this upside-down experience are well worth the price of admission on their own.

- Sandra Frey