Filmmaker Statement

Cocoon is a deeply personal film, drawn from both my own childhood memories and the ways in which children create sanctuary for themselves. I wanted the images to speak for themselves and to reflect the quiet, instinctive ways a child makes sense of his surroundings. The film’s young boy moves through the world with tender curiosity. He is a roamer, a collector. He wants to make these soft, shiny things his own. But his world is not so safe, and it has its limits. Cocoon was made by my good friend and cinematographer-producer, Jodi Gapan, and me as writer-director. We shot on black-and-white 16mm with a Bolex camera, pooling what little money we had to bring it to life. It’s a small, handcrafted film, but one made with great care and attention, and with a big, beating heart. Above all, I hope Cocoon finds those who see themselves in this kid, however they choose to.