There is something inherently special about writing and directing your first feature film, I would have to assume. Having never crossed that bridge myself, but consuming a plethora of films throughout my life, there is always something special, at least as a viewer, in seeing someone’s debut that just strikes the right notes. This is what it must’ve been like for Weston Razooli, because not only did his feature debut play to mass acclaim at a plethora of film festivals, it was shot entirely on Kodak 16 mm film and presented that way throughout the festival circuit, including its premiere in Cannes. As a film enthusiast, that alone should get one excited and ensure they go out of their way to see this debut. I, unfortunately, missed my chance to see this wonderfully charming and deeply passionate film on 16 mm print, but when I did get to eventually see it, I was blown away from what I saw. Casting children in films can always go one of two ways, wonderful or terrible, as children are harder to teach how to act because of their age, but somehow Razooli found three (really four) incredible child actors to bring to life his whimsical magical coming-of-age-esque story about pie. Riddle of Fire truly is the fantasy comedy no one knew they needed, but the one we certainly deserve.
L-R: Charlie Stover as Hazel, Phoebe Ferro as Alice, and Skyler Peters as Jodie in RIDDLE OF FIRE. Photo courtesy of Yellow Veil Pictures.
The movie focuses on our three leads Jodie (Skyler Peters), Alice (Phoebe Ferro), and Hazel (Charlie Stover). They’re three kids who just want to be mischievous and find adventure and entertain themselves at any real cost. At the beginning of the movie, they pull off an inept version of a heist to get a video game so they can go back home to play it, unknown to them, though, Jodie and Hazel’s mother (Danielle Hoetmer) has locked the tv, and while bedridden from a cold, refuses to give them the password so they can play their game as “it is nice outside” and they should enjoy the weather. Hellbent on trying to wear down the sick mother, they negotiate a plea, she’ll give them the password for the television if they bring her a blueberry pie from the local bakery. A task easy enough, until they discover the local bakery is out of blueberry pie, and the owner, after some haggling and bargaining, gives them the recipe, which includes speckled eggs, and their adventure starts.
The problem with giving children an ingredient list to recreate a dish is simply the fact that they will not deviate from the list. The egg could’ve realistically been any egg, but because the ingredient list called for speckled egg, their adventures and chaotic pursuit kicked off and they get way in over their heads. Without giving away too much, they find themselves hunting down John Redrye (Charles Halford), who purchased the last dozen speckled eggs, and refused to give the kids one single egg, thusly throwing their plan of playing video games into the gutter and their adventure continues.
L-R: Charlie Stover as Hazel, Skyler Peters as Jodie, and Phoebe Ferro as Alice in RIDDLE OF FIRE. Photo courtesy of Yellow Veil Pictures.
With a movie that is so focused on its leads, it really is up to the actors to bring forth their best effort and ensure that their performances help carry the film and bring it the recognition it truly deserves. Thankfully, Peters, Ferro (The Big Squeeze), and Stover (Dashing in December) are all eccentric and bring their child like whimsy and charm to the forefront and balance the roles with passion and pizazz that brings to life the characters Razooli wrote in a story that feels part Sean Baker (The Florida Project) and part Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom), with as much heart and conviction of both of those aforementioned names.
Weston Razooli has proven he should be a name to look out for in the future, as well that he respects film and prefers to shoot on film rather than digital. Creating his first feature on pure Kodak 16 mm gives another depth of whimsical nature to the overall presentation of the film as well, truly solicitating the audience’s imagination and conviction. Riddle of Fire allows audiences to fall in love with a world of pure chaos and brilliance which bring out our inner child and those adventures we all had back in the day — at least to an extent.
In select theaters March 22nd, 2024.
For more information, head to the official Yellow Veil Pictures Riddle of Fire webpage or Riddle of Fire website.
Final Score: 4 out of 5.
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Categories: Films To Watch, In Theaters, Recommendation, Reviews
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