A Beautiful Film and a Beautiful Story to Match

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MOVIE REVIEW
Cocoon (Kokon)
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Genre: Drama, Romance
Year Released: 2022
Runtime: 1h 15m
Director(s): Leonie Krippendorf
Writer(s): Leonie Krippendorf
Cast: Lena Urzendowsky, Jella Haase, Lena Klenke, Elina Vildanova
Where To Watch: Premiering via virtual cinema, VOD, and digital on June 17

An absolute treat of a film that shows exactly what the coming of age story can be. This intelligent film proved the possibilities of what can be done when the story is put first. I haven’t seen Leonie Krippendorf’s other movie, but the storytelling in this was beyond compare. I’m excited that I get to experience films like this, ones that otherwise may go unnoticed in general.

One of the essential parts of any role, let alone one as important as this, is showing compassion and making the viewer honestly believe the story. I was impressed with Lena Urzendowsky's performance as Nora; it felt sincere, and I never once questioned her sincerity. However, without Jella Haase as Romy, the story wouldn’t be complete. They play off each other perfectly in a story that is as heartwarming as it is awakening.

I can’t write a review about the film without pointing out how beautiful it was and color was used to perfection; each time you see a vibrant color, it signifies something of great importance. The scenes were mainly shot up close and very intimately, often with focus changes throughout a scene to show the transition of what you should be focusing on (which sounds pretty obvious, but it was so well done that it almost felt like it was done as just another part of the script.

The film is very personal, and a story like this is vital; the “awakening” was done so tastefully because it felt natural. There was nothing forced. Nothing in this film felt like a stretch, and the movie honestly felt like it was part documentary. It was simply done with a story to tell and show a time and cultural difference that is so important. While the film is in German, it easily could’ve almost been silent. The dialogue is terrific, but the direction and cinematography take the movie to the next level and tell its own story.

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