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| Images Courtesy of Yellow Veil Pictures |
There is a unique genre of films that focus not only on
coming of age, but on the inherent magic of childlike wonder. The
Goonies, The Monster Squad, and Super 8 immediately come to
mind when thinking of these kinds of films. Weston
Razooli's imaginative and absolutely charming debut feature film, Riddle
of Fire, is a loving homage to children's films of the late 70's and early
80's. Mimicking the inappropriateness of some of these films when
compared to today's standards and showing an uncanny appreciation for the
darkness and danger that loomed under the playful surface of these relics,
Razooli's neo-fairytale opus features a wonderful ensemble, vintage 16mm
visuals, and a smile inducing story about embracing innocence, not losing
it.
Three troublesome children are sent on a "quest" by their mother to
find her a blueberry pie. What follows is a fantastical
odyssey through towns and forests that features dastardly villains,
wondrous faeries, and absolutely foul-mouthed heroes.
Razooli's script brims with life from the very first scene, blending rural
living with aol King’s Quest sensibilities. Comparisons to Wes Anderson
and even David Lynch are unavoidable, however the narrative manages to shine on
its own, simply by the absolute love for the material displayed by the cast and
crew. The child actors are authentic and hilarious, moving from one
sequence to another without a care in the world, despite the obvious perils
that surround them and this is an undeniable part of the film's allure.
Jake's Mitchell's old school cinematography is one of the
selling points, with virtually every poster or synopsis referring to it being
shot in Kodak 16mm for authenticity. However, it is Fazooli's careful
attention to detail that is the strongest aspect. The set design, grungy
costumes, and the placement of items such as the children's gaming snacks are
so full of creativity and care it becomes immediately apparent how important
and imaginative this project is to its creators. Astute observers will a
kinship with Anna Biller’s masterpiece The Love Witch, with respect to
how much care and thought went into the placement of every prop and the
delivery of every line of dialogue.
Now playing in theaters and coming hopefully soon to digital on demand, Riddle
of Fire is a witty, heartfelt epic of the imagination, created by a cast
and crew who are having so much fun making a movie, the narrative and acting
transcend expectations. In essence this is the perfect comfort food film.
--Kyle Jonathan
--Kyle Jonathan