ROCKETMAN
A handcrafted adventure celebrating imagination and the joy of giving
Directed by Diagonal 11
words by Isabella Bazoni
In Rocketman, Paris-based directing duo Diagonal 11 — formed by Katerina Lagoda and Valentin Savin — create a whimsical Christmas tale that unfolds between reality and a handcrafted pop-up universe.
Blending live action with miniature sets, stop-motion animation and tactile design, the film follows two unlikely heroes on a mission to deliver more than just presents, but a sense of wonder itself. With rockets orbiting paper planets and gifts drifting down by parachute, Rocketman celebrates the magic of handmade storytelling while capturing the humour, imagination and generosity at the heart of the holiday season.
Craftsmanship feels central to the world of Rocketman, from the miniature sets to the stop-motion elements. Can you talk about the creative process behind designing and constructing that handcrafted world?
Craftsmanship was at the heart of the project. All elements you see in the film were built by hand — the miniature sets, textures, and small details of the world. We wanted to preserve a handcrafted aesthetic — something playful and slightly childlike in its forms — while still building a believable universe. It was a meticulous process both in preparation and on set, but that tactile, handmade quality is what gives the film the charm.
As a directing duo, how do you divide the creative process when developing a project like this, from concept to execution?
For us the process is completely collaborative. From the first idea and concept development to the final details in post-production — we work on everything together. We don’t divide creative responsibilities in a strict way. Most ideas grow through constant conversation and exchange, so the project evolves as a shared vision. In many ways the entire film becomes one continuous creative dialogue.
“Craftsmanship was at the heart of the project. All elements you see in the film were built by hand — the miniature sets, textures, and small details of the world.”
Your work often blends the language of advertising with narrative filmmaking. How do you balance storytelling with strong visual design?
Narrative storytelling is always our starting point. The story gives direction to everything that follows. Once the narrative is clear, we begin shaping the visual language — locations, costumes, colors of the film, and the overall atmosphere. Our goal is for the story and the visual design to work together as one cohesive whole, where the imagery not only illustrates the narrative but deepens it.
“For us the process is completely collaborative. From the first idea and concept development to the final details in post-production — we work on everything together.”
Rocketman ultimately feels like a celebration of imagination and the joy of giving. What emotional experience did you hope audiences would take away from the film?
Because it’s a Christmas film, we wanted the audience to feel warmth and joy while watching it — something that brings a smile and creates a small moment of wonder. Through the story of Rocketman we hoped to capture the spirit of the holidays: imagination, generosity, and the simple joy of giving. In a way, we also hope it reminds people of how they felt as children, when Christmas felt a little more magical.
Looking ahead, what kinds of stories or visual worlds are you most excited to explore next?
Right now we are developing several feature projects, which is the direction we’re most excited about exploring. While we love working in short formats, longer narratives allow characters and worlds to grow in a deeper way.
director — KATERINA LAGODA
director — VALENTIN SAVIN
writer — VALENTIN SAVIN
producer — KATERINA LAGODA
dop — MAKS KLENOV
editor — ANDREI MILIKOV
pop-up creator — OLGA SIZOY
colourist — ALEXANDR ZOLOTAREV
gaffer — GENNADY BELYH