Two gay men risk everything for love in Soviet-occupied Estonia as a KGB investigation threatens to discover their relationship. Based on a true story. [ Firebird credits: Dir: Peeter Rebane/ Tom Prior, Nicholas Woodeson, Oleg Zagorodnii/ 107 min/ Drama, Romance/ Government Enforced Morality/ UK/ 2021]
External Reviews
“This Estonian-British co-production examines some of the ways a repressive and homophobic state apparatus scars citizens with shame…The film’s exploration of love, courage and the price of speaking your truth is as timely as it’s ever been, and for Russians particularly.”
–Guardian
“A timely reminder of continued Soviet prejudice against LGBTQ+ people.”
–Radio Times
“An unavoidable poignancy comes to the fore because this is a true story based on Sergey Fetisov’s 1996 memoir, A Tale About Roman...those who need their fix of Cold War romance need look no further.”
–Film Threat
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Per Estonian World, the new film Firebird tells the true story of a gay love triangle in Soviet-occupied territory during the Cold War. “Firebird is a touching and personal film for me, having grown up in Soviet occupied Estonia, near the air force base where this true story took place. I was deeply fascinated at how such a forbidden love triangle formed in the Soviet air force at the height of the Cold War. How they risked everything, even their lives, in order to be together with the one you love,” said Peeter Rebane, director of the film.