Quest

This film is full of heart, soul and reality. How lucky we are to have shared this world with someone who gave so much and wanted so little. How sad that any child should have a heartbeat without the very basic human needs of love and respect.

Please post the organizations listed in the credits that help children in similar situations.

Quest was a film that I saw on a whim at the Gasparilla International Film Festival. It fit into my schedule, and had Lakeith Stanfield in a supporting role, so I decided to give it a shot. I'm so glad that I did.

This film is about so much more than the synopsis would make you think. It's a story that needs to be heard because of how impactful it can be to youth who need guidance. The film is based on true events. It's the semi-autobiographical story of the director/co-writer. The character development in the film is amazing. All of the main cast is given extreme depth and humanity that makes the characters come to life.

I was really surprised to learn in the post-film Q&A that Rizzo was a first-time filmmaker because it is so well-filmed. The cinematography is really beautiful. The framing is excellent and the movements are fluid. The editing is also very good. I also loved the film's production design with all of the graffiti that had to be created for the film. It is designed perfectly to either create an emotional response or deliver the film's messaging. The cast is wonderful, too. The child actor, Gregory Kasyan, who plays the protagonist has a lot of talent. He is able to give the role the humanity it demands. Dash Mihok and Lakeith Stanfield are great in the two mentor roles. Each of them brings their unique qualities to the role, and it works. Lou Diamond Phillips is also wonderful in his role.

Overall, I really loved Quest. It's a great story that needs to be heard. It's a shame that it hasn't picked up distribution yet because it is a wonderful story that needs to be heard by as many people as possible. If you get the chance to see it, I highly recommend it.

If there's one film you should see at Slamdance or Sundance check out Quest. The film is based on a true story and stars Dash Mihok as Berkeley teacher Tim Moellering who steps up to help an abused 12-year-old graffiti addict play brilliantly by new comer @gregkasyan The film has a nice balance of humorous and sad scenes. @santi_rizzo does an amazing job in his directorial debut and made the film to honor the middle-school teacher who refused to give up on him. Highly recommend it to anyone but especially teachers and youth mentors. Check out this gem at Slamdance

I saw this movie as part of a school event, where the director himself came in to show his film, and talk about it. This is a true story about the director's life, and it holds nothing back from the viewer. It's darkly brutal, but above all, it has a real heart at its core, and a message of empathy that anyone can understand. This is definitely a hard film to watch, but it deserves your full attention.

Quest quite literally changed my life forever. It can be used as a guide, a guru and as "medicine" to keep returning to again and again. It's a moral compass for humanity and it brought out the truth in me that was yearning to be unveiled. It's a movie about healing and coming together with love and empathy.