Bentonville Film Festival / Mendocino Film Festival - Quest: The Truth Always Rises
A non-romantic true love story between a child in crisis, addicted to graffiti, on the brink of destruction, losing faith in integrity, and a humble teacher who believes there is no such thing as a bad kid, only a bad situation.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Santiago Rizzo
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you very much for asking. This is a meaningful and important question. We did not just make a movie, this is a Quest for everyone and every audience so we shift humanity toward the power of LOVE. I made Quest in honor of my teacher/mentor/coach Tim Moellering who saved my life when I was a kid stuck in abuse. Tim and I originally wrote the script together and it ultimately honors his humility and compassion.
I’m now trying to give back by teaching others to Trust the Struggle and how far kindness can go in launching a young person’s dreams. My goal was to put out a movie to show that it only takes one person to make a huge difference in a kid’s life. I want teachers to be inspired by Tim in order to intervene for other kids. The movie is the call to action to honesty, integrity, and healing.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Actually, I warn that it is not a movie for everyone. It’s very honest and revealing and for those who don’t want to feel uncomfortable, then it’s not for them. For those who have been hurt, abused, undervalued or wounded, then this is the perfect movie of tenderness and love that can help them get through the pain and launch them into a future they deserve. Only when we accept the pain, can we get to the release and come to a deeper love, courage and completeness.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The movie has an abundance of love and empathy which we can all relate to. All of us struggle, though our judgements sometimes stop us from putting ourselves in others skin and walking around in it. By becoming aware of this through the characters in Quest, we can open up to a deeper acceptance and love for one another and our responsibility to be a part of that love, voice and inspiration.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I originally wrote the script with Tim Moellering, who the movie honors. When he died of pancreatic cancer in 2011, I brought on another writer to help me reshape his character to put more focus on him (Tim was too humble to make himself more of the focus). Quest is a movement, not just a movie. It’s still evolving and developing as is humanity.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We world premiered Quest in Germany to a standing ovation which can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/236882276. The audience is deeply impacted by the film but not everyone is ready for it. Quest is revealing and if you are an abuser or have been in abuse and don’t want to address it, then it’s confronting and may not be ready for the freedom that waits on the other side. To those who are not ready, I ask for forgiveness.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Yes, the love has been overwhelming. Everyday, the impact of the movie continues to pour in and people come forward and share tremendous healing and liberty beyond what I even imagined. I live in the awe of their courage and that’s what has launched this movie into such a movement. This is way beyond my expectations.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
It would be amazing if as many people as possible watch the film and go on their own Quest so we can live in a world with more integrity. A world we all want to live in.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
In fact right now as I write this, a Stanford Alumni, father of 8, ex-NFL pro-bowler named Brian Holloway, requested I come to stay with him for a few days at his house to further our Quest. Brian has mentored fortune 500 company CEOs and he considers this Quest one of the most important things that he has ever been a part of. We need journalists and buyers/distributors to please see the movie. We need people willing to be courageous and trust the struggle, trust the audience wants more authenticity and truth. Status and style can impress, but love is the only energy that can heal, restore and invigorate.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like for this movement to shift humanity. Nothing less. We must accept pain in order to get there. And those of us with privilege (which is love and safety), have a responsibility to give back with humility.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is it better to avoid pain or go into it? The movie is about Trusting Your Struggle. It’s about no longer avoiding or covering up or stuffing toxic pain in order to get to the release that opens up space for more love and the freedom and power that they deserve.
Would you like to add anything else?
You can find more on our website and here are some touching reactions from the audience. I was so moved too:
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The Truth Always Rises - QUEST 2.0
Interview: April 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, scifi, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Quest - The Truth Always Rises
A non-romantic true love story between a child in crisis, addicted to graffiti, on the brink of destruction, losing faith in integrity, and a humble teacher who believes there is no such thing as a bad kid, only a bad situation.
Length: 85 min
Director: Santiago Rizzo
Producer: Santiago Rizzo
Writer: Darren Anderson, Tim Moellering, Santiago Rizzo
Key cast: Dash Mihok, Lou Diamond Phillips, Lakeith Stanfield, Betsy Brandt, introducing Greg Kasyan
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Yes
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santiago.rizzo.7
Instagram: santi_rizzo or Questthemovie
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Mendocino Film Festival