After 30 years of anticipation and 4 years in the making, a pedigree is born! An Almost True Story: Toxic Tutu premieres March 25, 2017 at Mad Monster Party Carolina. A fan-made film, it serves as a companion to the original cult-classic horror-comedy, The Toxic Avenger, a Troma Entertainment release directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz back in 1984 that went onto become a cultural phenomenon and spawned its own franchise, which included multiple movies and an animated series.
More than 30 years after starring in Troma Entertainment's cult classic horror-comedy The Toxic Avenger, Mark Torgl, AKA Melvin the 'Mop Boy', suddenly resurfaces at a horror-fan Cosplay convention. But before he can explain his prolonged obscurity to his fans Mark is abducted by masked gunmen. And for what? A contaminant-rich toxic oasis a select few know exists.
The convention erupts into chaos as the rumor mill swirls: There's been an unexpected find. Toxic Waste from the set of the original film! The substance is mysteriously linked to: the deaths of innocent people; claims of heightened sexual promiscuity and superhuman strength; rumors of Mark's disfigurement; and a mysterious toxic oasis somewhere in the marshlands of New Jersey.
And in the midst of the search, Lloyd Kaufman, mastermind of the cult-classic film, goes missing. Mark is assisted by a cult group of fans who help him escape captivity. He sets out to reveal a TROMA secret he has hidden for three decades, but hears about Lloyd's disappearance. This changes everything. Mark realizes what the abductors are after and must get to the toxic oasis before they do.
NYU filmmaker and Torgl's best friend, Joe Nardelli, documents Mark's unexpected return to his fan base, weaving evidence of Mark's plight and behind the scenes footage into the mocku-mystery that emerges. Exposed is a plot driven, deviant conspiracy of resolute evildoers who want to seize the toxic oasis and bootleg its powerful contaminants for profits, while their adversaries are determined to destroy it.
An Almost True Story: Toxic Tutu puts to rest thirty years of secrecy about Mark's disappearance, and offers an answer to a question many, many fans have asked: "What has become of their beloved 98 pound weakling: Melvin the Mop Boy, Mark Torgl?"
The Toxic Avenger has influenced countless independent filmmakers since its debut in 1984, but none more so than Joe Nardelli. With Toxic Tutu, Nardelli has created a companion piece to The Toxic Avenger with the help of hundreds of fans and the blessing of Lloyd Kaufman, who also appears in the film.
Torgl and Kaufman star alongside Survivor star Jonny Fairplay, author Frank Messina, pro wrestling legends Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Jimmy "Boogie Woogie Man" Valiant, kung-fu great Mel Novak, indie horror staples Shawn C. Phillips and Genoveva Rossi, adult film actresses Nadia White and Diana Prince, and a reunion of several original The Toxic Avenger cast members for the first time in over 30 years. Nardelli explains.
"Mark Torgl, my best friend, told me almost five years ago that Eben McGarr and Joe Mo from Mad Monster Party Charlotte had invited him to make a celebrity guest appearance at their convention to celebrate the then-upcoming 30th anniversary of The Toxic Avenger. What started out as a weekend home movie documenting Mark meeting his fans and learning how much Melvin meant to them turned into a four-year obsession and one of the greatest experiences in my life."
Head to ToxicTutu.com for additional details about the film, including Toxic Leaks, bonus content not featured in the film, cast and crew information, and more. You can also follow Toxic Tutu on Facebook and Twitter. Take a look at the exciting trailer along with the official poster.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/192545718
