An ode to adventure and the mischievousness of children, Riddle of Fire is a magical debut feature from writer and director Weston Razooli who delivers a one-of-a-kind movie experience.

There is an immense joy when watching Riddle of Fire. A rural adventure fairytale, Riddle of Fire casts a spell with its eccentric approach to a children’s adventure story that is not made for children. Well, at least not young children with some scenes a little too intense for tykes who usually feast on a diet of Disney.

Coincidentally, it is the Disney films of the 1970s that was a major inspiration for writer and director Weston Razooli, who along with cinematographer Jake L. Mitchell (8 Million Angels) used 16mm film stock to replicate the look of classics such as Escape to Witch Mountain and The Biscuit Eater. It is also part of Razooli’s worldbuilding strategy to create a world where reality and fantasy converge to create a wholly unique playground for its main characters to journey on a quest valiant and pure.

Interestingly, this quest beings with a heist, as the “Three Immortal Reptiles” Alice (Phoebe Ferro), Hazel (Charlie Stover) and Jodie (Skylar Peters) steal the latest video game console. When they connect their new treasure, they are dismayed to find that Hazel and Jodie’s bed-ridden mother Julie (Danielle Hoetmer) has password protected the TV.

To gain access to the password, the Three Immortal Reptiles are sent on a quest by Julie to buy a blueberry pie from a local bakery. Little does the fair queen Julie know that the Three Immortal Reptiles will go to any lengths to get that pie, such as do battle against a group of deer poachers led by the sinister sorceress Anna-Freya (Lio Tipton).

Set in the picturesque rural woodlands of Park City, Utah, Riddle of Fire is a wonderful example of how to create a unique fantasy film within the confines of modern reality and do so with indie filmmaking ingenuity. Once dialled into the atmosphere that Razooli has established, it is easy to fall for the charms that Riddle of Fire exudes with playful joy, as well as the performances of its young leads with cute-as-buttons Skyler Peters and Lorelei Olivia Mote especially fun to watch.

Razooli taps into the pure joy of childhood adventure where the world is a playground and magic can be conjured at any given moment. It is rare to find a treasure like Riddle of Fire. Seek it and embrace it.