Firebird (2021 film)

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.[3] 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.[4]

Firebird
Directed byPeeter Rebane
Written by
Based onThe Story of Roman
by Sergey Fetisov
Produced by
  • Brigita Rozenbrika
  • Peeter Rebane
  • Tom Prior
Starring
CinematographyMait Mäekivi
Edited byTambet Tasuja
Music byKrzysztof Aleksander Janczak
Production
companies
  • The Factory
  • No Reservations Entertainment
  • Film Estonia
Distributed byRoadside Attractions (Theatrical release)
Release dates
  • 17 March 2021 (2021-03-17) (BFI Flare)
  • 29 April 2022 (2022-04-29) (United Kingdom)
Running time
107 minutes
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • Estonia
LanguageEnglish
Box office$91,977[1][2]

Firebird had its world premiere at the 35th BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival on 17 March 2021.[5] The film also screened at the 45th Frameline: San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival on 27 June 2021, where it won an honorable mention for Best First Feature.[6] The film will be released in cinemas internationally by Roadside Attractions on April 29, 2022.

Plot

Sergey, a troubled young private, is counting the days till his military service ends. His life is turned upside down when Roman, a daring fighter pilot, arrives at the base. Driven by curiosity, Sergey and Roman navigate the precarious line between love and friendship as a dangerous love triangle forms between them and Luisa, the secretary to the base commander. Sergey is forced to face his past as Roman's career is endangered and Luisa struggles to keep her family together. As the walls close in, they risk their freedom and their lives in the face of an escalating KGB investigation and the fear of the all-seeing Soviet regime.

Cast

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 35th BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival on 17 March 2021, screening as part of the Hearts strand.[7][8] 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.[9] Asian Premiere was held at the 32nd Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival on 17 September 2021.[10] 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.[11]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, which categorizes reviews only as positive or negative, 69% of 16 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.70.[12] Randy Myers in his review for the San Jose Mercury News said it is "a glossy and classy melodrama that soars with passion and is elevated by strong production values, heartfelt performances and a story arc that journeys to unexpected destinations."[13] In the Daily Mirror (UK), Lewis Knight said that "is not a revolutionary Queer romance by any means but it is a glossy love story with conviction and genuine historical tragedy."[14]

References
  1. "Firebird (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  2. "Firebird (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  3. Gilchrist, Tracy E. (22 June 2021). "Tension Builds Between Military Men in Cold War Film 'Firebird'". The Advocate. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  4. "Firebird review – story of gay lovers in the Soviet era is Brokeback in the USSR". The Guardian. 19 April 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  5. Tambur, Silver (18 February 2021). "British-Estonian movie "Firebird" to premiere at the London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival". Estonian World. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  6. "Frameline45 Awards Announced". Frameline. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  7. "World premieres of Rebel Dykes and Firebird announced for 35th BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival". British Film Institute. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  8. Rosser, Michael (24 February 2021). "'Firebird', 'Jump, Darling' head BFI Flare's 2021 digital edition line-up". Screen International. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  9. Grobar, Matt (26 July 2021). "Outfest Los Angeles: Dates, Venues & Lineup Set For 39th Festival Returning To In-Person Screenings". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  10. "Firebird". Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  11. Grobar, Matt (2022-02-22). "Roadside Attractions Acquires Cold War Romantic Drama 'Firebird' From Director Peeter Rebane". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  12. "Firebird". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 1 October 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. "Frameline 2021: Here's what to see at huge LGBTQ film fest". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 22 September 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. "Firebird review: Cold War drama is 'glossy and sensual forbidden romance'". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 22 September 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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