Watch Kids' Reviews of
PASSION MAKES SCHOOL

I enjoyed watching Passion Makes School because of its impactful message and beautiful cinematography. Even though the film drags in some parts, namely during the long panoramic shots, it addresses a topic that we all need to be aware of - global warming and climate change - addressing it quite gracefully, I might add. The camera work will surely stun you, as it adds many more layers to the already-deep storyline.

Passion Makes School is a documentary film by Alfonso Cacciola about climate change. The film follows Ivan, a 12-year-old boy from Cernusco sul Naviglio, Italy. He wants to make a documentary, but isn't sure what to base it upon. So, he interviews his classmates and talks with his teachers. When the beautiful season of spring dawns upon Lombardy, Ivan discovers his passion for preserving the environment and natural beauty and decides to learn more about what he can do to counteract climate change, as a kid, by creating a film.

The content is critically important and Cacciola delivers a hard-hitting and effective message with his film. This film succeeds in being unique, in that it can hold your attention and entertain you, while educating you about an important topic. The script facilitates this unique, appealing approach.

The cinematography greatly impressed me. Though it is a father-son film, the camera work by Alfonso Cacciola looks and feels organic and professional. There are some shaky shots, but those add a 'real' angle to the documentary. I especially liked the bokeh shots in the wheat fields and on the beaches - the camera work truly speaks volumes. The costumes suit the time period and the storyline. The cast wear clothes typical of what people wore in 2017 (when this film was created). The Cacciolas filmed in Milan and Cernusco sul Naviglio, a small town near Milan. The school which the film focuses on is the Istituto Comprensivo "Rita Levi Montalcini." Many of the shots are taken in the camps, parks, plazas and streets of Milan and Cernusco. The hike up Grignetta Mountain is magnificent and majestic, but most enrapturing are the scenes in the Gargano Peninsula. Che bello! In Milan, several scenes focus on the famous Duomo di Milano, the Church of St. Maurice in Major Monastery and the Poldi Pezzoli Museum. The school orchestra of Istituto Comprensivo "Rita Levi Montalcini" play all the songs in this film, ranging from established Italian classics like 'Bolero' to totally new songs such as 'Open Your Eyes.' The soundtrack provides a dynamic feel and a lighter tone to the film that brings a breath of fresh air to the ever-serious documentary. The sound effects seem to be from a stock pack, but they are functional and work as section-dividers for this film. Some basic animation as well as fun overlay effects are utilized. These effects enhance the viewing experience and allow the reader to visualize exactly what Ivan, his teachers and his friends speak about. They also act as dividers for each section of address in the film.

Alfonso 'Rino' Cacciola is the director, writer and producer of the film and his son Ivan Cacciola plays Ivan. Rino Cacciola's years of expertise in filmmaking and the study of theatre are evident in the production quality of Passion Makes School. His son Ivan also has great prowess in acting. It's especially commendable how Ivan modulates his tone of voice for every serious, light or 'in between' scene. I love how Ivan grows throughout the process of making his documentary. Not only does he learn more about climate change and global warming, but he also learns how to work in a team. Most important of all, he finds his passion! Several prominent climate activists such as Germano Gemini and some professors from the University of Milan appear in this film.

Climate change is a real issue, and it's happening right now. The message of this film is that we need to take action - right now or, as they say in Italian, adesso.

I give Passion makes School 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. This film explores a very important topic for children and families living in the 21st Century and thus I highly recommend it for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals.

I enjoyed watching Passion Makes School because of its impactful message and beautiful cinematography. Even though the film drags in some parts, namely during the long panoramic shots, it addresses a topic that we all need to be aware of - global warming and climate change - addressing it quite gracefully, I might add. The camera work will surely stun you, as it adds many more layers to the already-deep storyline.

Passion Makes School is a documentary film by Alfonso Cacciola about climate change. The film follows Ivan, a 12-year-old boy from Cernusco sul Naviglio, Italy. He wants to make a documentary, but isn't sure what to base it upon. So, he interviews his classmates and talks with his teachers. When the beautiful season of spring dawns upon Lombardy, Ivan discovers his passion for preserving the environment and natural beauty and decides to learn more about what he can do to counteract climate change, as a kid, by creating a film.

The content is critically important and Cacciola delivers a hard-hitting and effective message with his film. This film succeeds in being unique, in that it can hold your attention and entertain you, while educating you about an important topic. The script facilitates this unique, appealing approach.

The cinematography greatly impressed me. Though it is a father-son film, the camera work by Alfonso Cacciola looks and feels organic and professional. There are some shaky shots, but those add a 'real' angle to the documentary. I especially liked the bokeh shots in the wheat fields and on the beaches - the camera work truly speaks volumes. The costumes suit the time period and the storyline. The cast wear clothes typical of what people wore in 2017 (when this film was created). The Cacciolas filmed in Milan and Cernusco sul Naviglio, a small town near Milan. The school which the film focuses on is the Istituto Comprensivo "Rita Levi Montalcini." Many of the shots are taken in the camps, parks, plazas and streets of Milan and Cernusco. The hike up Grignetta Mountain is magnificent and majestic, but most enrapturing are the scenes in the Gargano Peninsula. Che bello! In Milan, several scenes focus on the famous Duomo di Milano, the Church of St. Maurice in Major Monastery and the Poldi Pezzoli Museum. The school orchestra of Istituto Comprensivo "Rita Levi Montalcini" play all the songs in this film, ranging from established Italian classics like 'Bolero' to totally new songs such as 'Open Your Eyes.' The soundtrack provides a dynamic feel and a lighter tone to the film that brings a breath of fresh air to the ever-serious documentary. The sound effects seem to be from a stock pack, but they are functional and work as section-dividers for this film. Some basic animation as well as fun overlay effects are utilized. These effects enhance the viewing experience and allow the reader to visualize exactly what Ivan, his teachers and his friends speak about. They also act as dividers for each section of address in the film.

Alfonso 'Rino' Cacciola is the director, writer and producer of the film and his son Ivan Cacciola plays Ivan. Rino Cacciola's years of expertise in filmmaking and the study of theatre are evident in the production quality of Passion Makes School. His son Ivan also has great prowess in acting. It's especially commendable how Ivan modulates his tone of voice for every serious, light or 'in between' scene. I love how Ivan grows throughout the process of making his documentary. Not only does he learn more about climate change and global warming, but he also learns how to work in a team. Most important of all, he finds his passion! Several prominent climate activists such as Germano Gemini and some professors from the University of Milan appear in this film.

Climate change is a real issue, and it's happening right now. The message of this film is that we need to take action - right now or, as they say in Italian, adesso.

I give Passion makes School 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. This film explores a very important topic for children and families living in the 21st Century and thus I highly recommend it for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals.

Ivan is a 12 year old boy who wants to make a documentary. He is looking for a topic that involves him and he interviews his classmates to find it. When spring arrives he is attracted by the beauty of nature and, with his video, he wants to participate in a competition. But together with his school he is involved in a race where you have to ride on static bikes to produce clean energy. In the classroom they talk about environmental crises and energy problems. During the holidays Ivan is more attentive to environmental problems and when he goes to the sea he tries to clean up a beach full of plastic. Back in school, he no longer thinks about competitions and discovers the importance of teamwork. There is no time to lose: the challenge for him and for the other kids is to believe in a possible solution for a problem that affects everyone but, above all, their future.