Koko-di koko-da (2019)

Danish director Johannes Nyholm offers viewers an immersion into a deeply personal, yet surreal and unsettling drama titled «Koko-di Koko-da» (2019). This film is not just cinema, but rather a cinematic experiment exploring the mechanics of grief, recurring traumas, and attempts to find a way out of an unbearable cyclical nightmare. The film skillfully balances on the edge of ordinary drama and what could be called a psychological thriller, but its heart remains in the plane of a poignant story about the human psyche, subjected to the destructive force of loss.

Plot (spoiler-free)

«Koko-di Koko-da» tells the story of a married couple who, three years after a family tragedy, decide to embark on a trip through picturesque locations, hoping to find solace and rekindle their fading intimacy. But instead of the expected tranquility, their picnic in the forest turns into an encounter with extremely strange and sinister circus performers. These characters, led by the colorful Mord Baloo Khachaduryan and Peter Belli, begin to subject the couple, played by Ylva Gallon and Leif Edlund, to increasingly sophisticated and cruel «games» that quickly turn into torture. But the most terrifying part begins when the couple discovers that this nightmarish day repeats itself again and again, forcing them to relive the same horrors, with no way to escape this vicious cycle. The film becomes a metaphorical labyrinth from which the characters desperately seek an exit.

Why it's worth watching

• Visual Originality: Director Johannes Nyholm creates a unique, almost fairytale-like, yet deeply unsettling world where idyllic nature coexists with grotesque images.
• Deep Exploration of Grief: Behind the surreal shell lies a poignant drama about how unresolved grief can destroy relationships and trap people in an endless cycle of pain.
• Unconventional Approach to the «Groundhog Day» Theme: The film overturns the usual perception of a time loop, turning it not into a comedic device, but into a metaphor for a mental state where trauma is constantly replayed.
• Strong Acting Performances: Ylva Gallon and Leif Edlund masterfully convey their couple's despair, fear, and emotional exhaustion, while the ensemble of circus performers adds a layer of mystical horror.
• Provocative and Thought-Provoking: «Koko-di Koko-da» does not offer simple answers, inviting the viewer to independently interpret what is happening and its profound meaning.

Themes

The central theme of «Koko-di Koko-da» is grief and its destructive impact on human relationships. The film explores how the inability to accept loss and go through the stages of mourning can lead to mental paralysis, drawing a person into an endless loop of suffering. The repeating day becomes a powerful metaphor for this cyclical nature of pain, symbolizing unspoken grievances, guilt, and the inability to move forward. The surreal images of the circus performers can be interpreted as external manifestations of the characters' internal demons, their fears, and repressed emotions. It is an exploration of the fragility of the human psyche and the desperate search for a path to healing and liberation from a haunting past.

Verdict

«Koko-di Koko-da» is not just a film; it is a unique cinematic experience that will leave a deep impression. Johannes Nyholm has created a bold, visually striking, and emotionally rich drama that uses surrealism to peer into the darkest corners of the human soul confronted with unbearable loss. For those seeking unconventional cinema capable of provoking thought and deep emotional experiences, this film will be a true discovery. Prepare for a journey that is simultaneously beautiful, unsettling, and deeply poignant.