When you see an indie film focusing on the friendship between young kids, you automatically think you have it figured out—this is clearly a coming-of-age tale that we’ve seen a million times over. Well, “Riddle of Fire” might be a film about three young children growing up in Wyoming, but nothing about it is typical.
As seen in the trailer, “Riddle of Fire” follows three kids as they go run an errand for their mother. They have to get ingredients for a blueberry pie. But that seemingly simple mission sends the young people on a mythical quest where they uncover all sorts of heroes and villains and even a fairy. All while in the backwoods of Wyoming. The film is the directorial debut of filmmaker Weston Razooli.
We saw the film at last year’s TIFF, and in our review, we said, “There are pockets of joy and wonder, but they’re not quite enough to let ‘Riddle of Fire’ stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the cinematic classics that inspired it. The magical ingredients are there, but this cinematic pie needed a bit more time in the oven.”
“Riddle of Fire” debuts in select theaters on March 22. You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
Yellow Veil and Vinegar Syndrome invite you to a neo-fairytale set in Wyoming, USA, as it follows three mischievous children as they embark on an odyssey when their mother asks them to run an errand. On the hunt to obtain her favorite blueberry pie, the children are kidnapped by poachers, battle a witch, outwit a huntsman, befriend a fairy, and bond together to become best friends forever. Shot on 16mm, Weston Razooli’s feature debut world premiered at Cannes Directors Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes).