One popular conceit which film-makers love to play with is throwing their main character(s) into a situation and watching them replay a scenario over and over again. Groundhog Day or Happy Death Day are probably the most famous examples, but there have been many variations on a theme. Johannes Nyholm combines this premise with one of those recurring nightmares, where whatever you do and no matter how hard you try you can never escape. Welcome to the world of Koko-Di Koko-Da.
Following the sudden death of their daughter, Tobias (Leif Edlund) and Elin (Ylva Gallon) are struggling to come to terms with their grief. In an attempt to save the marriage, they embark on a camping trip to the countryside. The couple’s quiet trip rapidly takes a dark turn. Waiting for them when they awake is a dark menagerie, led by a sinister sideshow artist (Peter Belli); seemingly hellbent on inflicting as much torment and pain on them as possible.
Koko-Di Koko-Da is one of the most unusual films you’re likely to see. However, at its heart is a couple whose traumatic loss, rather than bringing them together, is tearing them apart. As they relive the same nightmare, dark and ghoulish phantoms dog their path. Their only salvation is to remember the love they have for each other. Koko-Di Koko-Da is a sumptuously gothic slice of perpetual purgatory. A beautifully realised nightmarish fable. A demonic fairy tale.
Koko-Di Koko-Da is released on Blu-ray and Digital by Picturehouse Entertainment on 7 September.
