Céline Roustan
It’s Halloween, and while the staff at his practice have opted for more traditional costumes, a doctor goes all out, full on cosplay! Sure, his costume might be a bit niche, but it’s certainly unexpected – imagine walking into your examination room to find your doctor dressed as Kodar, a horned god. Will Ropp, who is mostly known for his work in front of the camera, stepped behind the lens for Kodar: The Primordial God of Light and Ether, where he is credited as writer/director/producer. Perfectly blending comedy and drama, Kodar is an emotionally compelling slice of life that will have you laughing and crying simultaneously.
“I wanted to navigate the extremely fine line between tragedy and comedy”
Written with lead actor Nick Skardarasy, the film draws inspiration from their respective childhoods. Ropp, having grown up as the child of a cancer patient, and Skardarasy, the son of a doctor who loved Halloween. However, it was only when Skardarasy shared the story of his father, and how he would have to potentially deliver bad news in full Halloween costume that it reminded Ropp of his own time “wandering around doctor’s offices (…) finding the absurdity, the comedy, and the weirdness that still existed underneath the most serious of situations”. It was this contrast that inspired the pair to write Kodar, with Ropp revealing that his goal with the short was to “navigate the extremely fine line between tragedy and comedy”.
Nick Skardarasy as the doctor going all out for Halloween.
“I wanted to make something that explored those situations in life when you don’t know whether to laugh, cry, or run away”, the director added. And it’s this sentiment that dictates the tone of the film, always on that tightrope between the absurdity of the situation and its deep humanity. While it has a strong comedic element, the film is never a joke, blending the humor with the emotion perfectly. Credit here also has to go to editor Zoé Kraft (BJ’s Mobile Gift Shop), who gives the film a great pace, while also expertly juggling the tone between scenes, making the lighter and heavier moments enhance one another without ever sacrificing the genuine and authentic layer of the story.
Getting to know the doctor and his vulnerabilities in the exposition, allows us to understand who he is, and be touched by how he goes about his day. Unlike the typical confident doctor, he exudes a quieter presence, which provides quite the contrast to the loudness of his costume. DP Bryce Holden captures this aspect of the doctor’s character through glimpses into his home and by never fully capturing his face without makeup. The costume is at the same time too much, feeling out of place at the practice for comedic purposes, while also granting him a shield to be more confident and assert himself.
Maddie Ziegler (L) in conversation with Kodar’s central character.
Skardarasy’s performance as the doctor is incredibly raw and full of humanity. He is able to flesh out his character through little subtle moments that make him not only touching, but impossible not to root for. While Maddie Ziegler, as the patient, once again shows her acting range, processing the news she is given so compellingly. Their chemistry is what truly makes you smile, and cry, as we watch them coming together, and deciding to fight.
We are incredibly excited to host the premiere of Kodar: The Primordial God of Light and Ether, Ropp’s directorial debut, on Short of the Week. Now working on writing his first feature film and raising financing for that, he is also directing a feature titled Coffin Club, written by Joel Santer and being produced by Rebecca Miller and Cara Shine at “Good Pals”.