“Had many audience members sobbing cathartically by film’s end… Gregory Kasyan, plays 12-year-old Rizzo — “Mills” in the film — with an adept, brutally-honest hand that belies his age and leaves you with the distinct impression that you are watching one of our future greats in action...
It’s an assured debut feature that doesn’t pull any punches; you leave the theater transformed...
Rizzo — who screens the film at juvenile detention centers around the country — is the first to point out that some audiences can and will find the film’s subject matter challenging. “We are in a revolution of the evolution of consciousness... But if we are to evolve, our shadows have to come to light.”
— MovieMaker Magazine
(https://www.moviemaker.com/archives/festivals/bentonville-film-festival-2018/)
"Quest should be on everyone's awards radar.”
— Andrea Chase/Killer Movie Reviews
“Quest is an undiscovered gem… in the same way Forrest Gump defined a generation, it will leave an imprint on your soul in the way audiences have not seen since the quiet truths revealed in the Shawshank Redemption…
Quest deserves wide release so that parents, professors/teacher and caregivers alike may watch and discuss this film in the privacy of their own homes, cafeteria screenings and coming of age slumber parties… Hollywood must have the courage to allow Quest to reach the masses so we may pause, rewind, and press play - over and over again until every tear is wiped from our eyes and pain outcry are no more. The power of a kind word spoken at the right time is evident in this twenty first century masterpiece…”
— Alicia Nichols, Emcee at Napa Valley Film Festival
(in “Members" section)
"A Modern day ‘The 400 Blows’… Powerful. Greg Kasyan — the Jean-Pierre Leaud to Rizzo’s Truffaud — won best actor at the Oldenburg Film Festival, Europe’s equivalent of Sundance. Ultimately, Inspiring.”
— Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
— Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
“Quest is the kind of story that breaks us down so we can build ourselves up, better than before...
This is not a feel good movie. It is a get off your ass and change the world movie; not the whole world, all at once, like a superhero, but bit by bit, one compassionate word and generous act at a time.
Go see it and bring everyone you know!”
— endigomatolla (IMDb Review: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4188709/)
“This is more than Germany. People are nice but they don’t show their emotions so easily. This happened twice in the history of the festival.”
— Torsten Neumann, Director of Oldenburg Film Festival, addressing the standing ovation.
“A powerful, tense, amazing performance by young Gregory Kasyan as Mills and a frightening, honest portrayal by Lou Diamond Phillips. Best film I've seen all year, and I spend my life studying and teaching film history and filmmaking. A24, pick up this film!!!.”
— David Foulds (IMDb Review: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4208327/)
“Quest is likely the Best movie I have ever seen. Real, real, real. Intense, engaging, and ultimately about love, the thing we all so desperately need. We can all learn from this movie, a must see!”
— James Schraider (IMDb Review: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3834483/)
“It was the most talked about film of the Festival - I never heard any comments that did not praise Quest... Exceptional film you will remember.”
— Rich PM (IMDb Review: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3855627/)
“'Quest' is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Go and watch it!”
— larsrandolph (IMDb Review: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3808839/)
“I’ve never seen a more perfect movie… I’ve never poured down crying like that, ever in my life. Not for a movie.”
— Bentonville, Arkansas Audience Member
(testimonial video #2 on home page)
— Bentonville, Arkansas Audience Member
(testimonial video #2 on home page)
“I could have never prepared myself for such a beautifully executed movie...All I have to say is.... WOW. Watch it! But be prepared to cry and have your whole world change after watching it !”
— Julia Sirbu (IMDb Review: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4010662/)
“It will leave you with all sorts of emotions and will move you in ways Hollywood has yet to.”
—@karolinastateofmind on @santi_rizzo Instagram
—@karolinastateofmind on @santi_rizzo Instagram
“This film should be shown in every school. It should be mandatory to every parent to see this.”
—Cleveland Film Festival Audience Member C
(testimonial video #4 on home page)
—Cleveland Film Festival Audience Member C
(testimonial video #4 on home page)
“‘Quest’ is a film every teacher should see.”
—Pamela Powell/Reel Honest Reviews
“Saw this film last night and was absolutely blown away! It is equally hard to watch and a beautiful story I can’t wait to see again. Don’t miss it and come prepared… I want to be on the books that this will be The Indie film of the year… Of all the films I’ve ever seen, it’s in my top 5.”
— Anne Stimac, President, A-Mac Placement
(Santiago Rizzo Facebook public wall)
— Anne Stimac, President, A-Mac Placement
(Santiago Rizzo Facebook public wall)
"Brilliant acting ... and a standing ovation… Lou Diamond Phillips at his dramatic best… An inspiring story of hope… Santiago Rizzo is my hero.”
—Richard Freedman, Vallejo Times-Herald
—Richard Freedman, Vallejo Times-Herald
“This movie is soul shifting!! We need to get this movie shared with everyone, but most especially with our young people.”
—@reinspirate on @santi_rizzo Instagram
—@reinspirate on @santi_rizzo Instagram
“Seriously, I’ve been talking about @questthemovie with my cast, crew, and friends since I left the screening. You are so brave and thoughtful on so many fronts and I really respect that… told Ava about it.”
—Cierra Glaude, Ava Duvernay’s mentee, @sh00ter_ on Instagram
“Best movie I’ve seen all year.”
— Katsitsionni Fox, Urbanworld Audience Member
(Santiago Rizzo Facebook public wall)
“The story of Santiago’s childhood inspired me to be more ‘vulnerable’ and this is something my ‘pride’ doesn’t really take it light. This movie is the definition of 'REALISTIC of Inspiration.'”
— Junior B.T., 17 year old resident in an Arkansas Juvenile Detention Center
(letter posted in the “Members" section)
— Junior B.T., 17 year old resident in an Arkansas Juvenile Detention Center
(letter posted in the “Members" section)
“Mind Blowing, heart wrenching, and soul filling… I can’t recommend it more highly.”
— John Fike, teacher at Berkeley Unified School District
(Santiago Rizzo Facebook public wall).
“Quest was one of the BEST films I’ve ever seen… so powerful and so moving.”
-Mendocino Film Festival Audience Member D
(testimonial video #3 on home page)
“Realized why Hollywood isn’t listening. The rules are simple, not heroic. Anyone can follow them. They work. Your film, Tim’s film is one I’ll never forget.”
— Chris Aigner, Cleveland Audience Member
(Santiago Rizzo Facebook public wall)
"It touched something in my heart. It reminded me of God’s Love for us… It was so good. OMG… I can’t stop thinking about it… It impacted me so much.”
-Cleveland Audience Member D
(testimonial video #4 on home page)
-Cleveland Audience Member D
(testimonial video #4 on home page)
“It’s so moving that I can’t even speak. It’s going to take me a while to even make any comments on this movie. That’s my reaction. Truthfully.”
-Cleveland Audience Member A
(testimonial video #4 on home page)
“Resonates to much in Cleveland… you are sharing a revolutionary message… resilient unfailing LOVEEEEE.”
—@gem2forest_city on @santi_rizzo Instagram
"The kids are still talking about Quest. Just had a meeting with one of our therapists and he said it had a phenomenal impact on the residents he is seeing.”
— Jonathan Pickering, Administrator of White River Juvenile Detention Center, Arkansas
(email posted in "Members" section)
“I used to be in the streets. I used to do all that stuff. But now that I’m here, that movie made me realize that I need to change my ways of what I’m doing.”
— Resident in Cleveland Juvenile Detention Center
(testimonial video #5 on home page, 2nd resident)
“Words can not adequately express the awful beauty of this movie... Hit me like American History X... must see!”
— Stephanie Comstock
(IMDb Review: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4154780/)
“A 5 star film that needs to be seen by Everyone... God is in control of everything. When God says yes… he makes a way out of no way.”
— Gloria Wadud, Probation Officer at Alameda County Juvenile Detention Center
(email posted in “Members" section)
“It was one of the most moving movies I’ve ever seen. It was so powerful and I told everybody to go see it and everybody who has seen it has come back to me and told me the same exact thing. Quest is a movie that must be seen by EVERYBODY.”
-Mendocino Audience Member
(testimonial video #3 on home page)
-Mendocino Audience Member
(testimonial video #3 on home page)
“It was brilliant!!”
— Esa Krause, Asst Chief Probation Officer, Alameda County Juvenile Probation Department
(Santiago Rizzo Facebook public wall)
“'Trust Your Struggle'... it really touched my heart and made me cry. I would like to buy your movie and recommend to my family and friends. They would love it very much. It's very inspirational and loving."
— Resident at Chicago Juvenile Detention Center
(letter in "Member" section)
“I’m a retired preacher… Pay It Forward was a very moving film, but I think this one was even more authentic, more real. More nitty gritty. More real life. And I understood a lot more through this film about graffiti and about kids that act out… I think you can bring whatever is in your background or heart to the film. I think it’s a universal film.”
— Cleveland Audience Member
(testimonial video #6 on home page)
“Honestly one of the best things I’ve seen. Still thinking about it 24 hrs. later. I’ll carry it with me into my classroom each day.”
—Cleveland Audience Member/Teacher (@clarkey865 on @santi_rizzo Instagram)
“Your film made my wife go to tears. She can hardly speak. She was so moved. Very moving.”
-Cleveland Audience Member B
(testimonial video #4 on home page)
“I was wrenched with tears from the start of the movie until the very end, and even afterwards. It was emotionally deep and touching. Beautiful.”
-Mendocino Audience Member A (testimonial video #3 on home page)
“Was hard for me to watch. I was just with that big apple in my throat the whole time. Very very moving. Very real.”
-Mendocino Audience Member B (testimonial video #3 on home page)
“Quest is the Best... If there’s one film you should see at Slamdance/Sundance... check out this gem.”
— Kevin Kunze (IMDb Review: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4049306/)
“Saw one of the best films I have ever experienced last night and even had the opportunity to shake the phenomenal directors hand and get a hug. Quest was awesome and gave me a new insight on life and overcoming struggle! Thank you @santi_rizzo for this amazing film.”
— Audience Member at Gasparilla Film Festival in Tampa, FL (@dbperez54 on Instagram)
“Couldn’t have loved it more… cried from start to finish… it’s amazing everyone needs to see it.”
— Nicole Vasquez Henry, Mill Valley Film Festival (Santiago Rizzo Facebook public wall)
“Incredibly Powerful! I can’t quite put it into words right now because it’s so fresh.”
-Cleveland Audience Member A
(testimonial video #1 on home page)
“Not only powerful but extremely important. In a world full of ego, we need to embrace humility.”
— @Arashdemaxi on @santi_rizzo Instagram
“The movie Quest brought tears to my eyes… only love can heal… Thank you so much for sharing your truth with the world through this touching film.”
— @lasonrisade_ale on @santi_rizzo Instagram
“I was absolutely blown away by this movie… Words just can’t do this movie justice. My favorite movie in the world. Please go watch it!”
—@Pizzathatscold14 on @santi_rizzo Instagram