Taglines: Fight for Love.
Based on a true story during the Cold War, Firebird is a passionate love story set against the backdrop of a Soviet Air Force base during late 1970’s Communist rule. Sergey (Tom Prior), a soulful, young soldier who dreams of becoming an actor in Moscow, is counting the days until his military service ends.
Life turned upside down when he locks eyes with Roman (Oleg Zagorodnii), a sexy, enigmatic ace fighter pilot newly assigned to his base. Driven by their undeniable attraction, Sergey and Roman navigate the precarious line between love and friendship at a time when Soviet men in uniform caught having a sexual affair was met with the severest punishment. As their friendship grows into love, the men risk their freedom and their lives to be together in the face of an all-seeing Soviet regime.
Firebird is a 2021 romantic war drama film directed, co-written, and co-produced by Peeter Rebane (in his feature directorial debut), based on Sergey Fetisov’s memoir The Story of Roman. The film stars Tom Prior (who also co-wrote and co-produced), Oleg Zagorodnii, and Diana Pozharskaya. Set in the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War, it tells the true story of forbidden love between a private and a fighter pilot.
Firebird had its world premiere at the 35th BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival on March 17, 2021. The film also screened at the 45th Frameline: San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival on June 27, 2021, where it won an honorable mention for Best First Feature. The film was released in cinemas internationally by Roadside Attractions on April 29, 2022.
The film had its world premiere at the 35th BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival on March 17, 2021, screening as part of the Hearts strand. It also screened at the 43rd Moscow International Film Festival on 24 April 2021, the 45th Frameline: San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival on 27 June 2021, the 42nd Durban International Film Festival on 23 July 2021,and the 39th Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival on 21 August 2021.
Asian Premiere was held at the 32nd Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival on 17 September 2021. On February 22, 2022, it was announced that the director Peeter Rebane gave the distribution rights of the film to Roadside Attractions, who will release it to cinemas on April 29, 2022.
Firebird (2022)
Directed by: Peeter Rebane
Starring: Tom Prior, Oleg Zagorodnii, Diana Pozharskaya, Jake Thomas Henderson, Margus Prangel, Nicholas Woodeson, Kaspar Velberg, Sergei Lavrentev, Ester Kuntu, Rasmus Kaljujärv
Screenplay by: Peeter Rebane, Tom Prior
Production Design by: Eva-Maria Gramakovski, Kalju Kivi, Frantseska Vakkum
Cinematography by: Mait Mäekivi
Film Editing by: Tambet Tasuja
Costume Design by: Marjatta Nissinen, Mare Raidma
Set Decoration by: Aadu Lambot, Peeter Sepp
Music by: Krzysztof Aleksander Janczak
MPAA Rating: R for language and some sexual content.
Distributed by: Roadside Attractions (Theatrical release)
Release Date: March 17, 2021 (BFI Flare), April 29, 2022 (United States), April 29, 2022 (United Kingdom)
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