Directed by Peeter Rebane, Firebird is an Estonian-British romantic drama based on the true memoir of Sergey Fetisov. Set in the late 1970s Soviet Union, the film tells a poignant story of love, secrecy, and sacrifice under the shadow of totalitarian surveillance.
Rebane, making his directorial debut, brings a sincere and restrained touch to a deeply emotional story that blends Cold War paranoia with timeless human longing. His background in music and television gives the film both a strong sense of pacing and an operatic emotional core.
Firebird Official Trailer
Firebird Summary | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Firebird |
| Movies Info: | Estonia / United Kingdom (2021) |
| Length: | 107 minutes |
| Is Firebird BL? | Yes, there's a BL romance. |
| Genre: | History / War / Boy's love |
Plot
In a Soviet Air Force base during the height of the Cold War, Sergey (Tom Prior) is a young conscript counting the days until the end of his service. His mundane routine is disrupted by the arrival of Roman (Oleg Zagorodnii), a charismatic and daring fighter pilot. A shared love of photography draws them together, and soon, a bond forms—quiet at first, then undeniable.
Their relationship begins in secrecy: glances in darkrooms, midnight swims, and stolen moments behind closed doors. But with the ever-watchful eyes of the KGB and the immense pressure of military conformity, their love becomes a dangerous liability. Roman marries Luisa, a fellow officer’s secretary, trying to bury his feelings under a façade of domestic normalcy. Sergey, devastated but proud, moves on to pursue his passion for acting.
Years later, their paths cross again. The intensity of their feelings has not faded, but the world has not changed. Caught between love and loyalty, freedom and duty, Roman must make an impossible choice.
Firebird Cast
Charactor
Sergey Played by Tom Prior A young, artistic soldier trying to survive under the weight of expectation, secrecy, and his own heart.
Tom Prior
Tom Prior is a British actor and screenwriter, best known for his role as Hugo in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) and as young Robert Hawking in The Theory of Everything (2014). Trained at RADA, Prior not only stars in Firebird but also co-wrote and co-produced the film, drawing from the real-life memoirs of Sergey Fetisov. His performance captures the internal conflict of a man caught between societal norms and the longing for authentic love.
Roman Played by Oleg Zagorodnii A decorated fighter pilot caught between career, duty, and an all-consuming forbidden love.
Oleg Zagorodnii
Oleg Zagorodnii is a Ukrainian actor affiliated with the Gogol Centre Theatre in Moscow, known for his roles in theatrical productions like Ozero by M. Durnenkov and Rocco and His Brothers directed by Luchino Visconti. He studied acting at the National University of Theatre and Cinema Arts named after I.K. Karpenko-Karyi. Before Firebird, he was known for Ukrainian TV series like The Choice (2016) and Dzhamayka (2012), but his sensitive portrayal of Roman in Firebird earned him international attention for his nuanced performance.
Luisa Played by Diana Pozharskaya A smart and poised secretary caught in the crossfire of a love she doesn’t understand.
Diana Pozharskaya
Diana Pozharskaya gives a sensitive performance, portraying Luisa not as a villain but as a woman trapped by the same societal norms that imprison the men.
Director
Peeter Rebane
Peeter Rebane’s direction is marked by meticulous attention to detail and emotional nuance. He uses visual metaphors—like birds, mirrors, and shifting colors—to deepen the story. From the darkroom’s red glow to the ballet stage's golden light, his cinematic language underscores the inner lives of his characters. Rather than dramatize for effect, Rebane favors restraint, allowing the quiet tragedy of Sergey and Roman’s love to unfold with dignity and grace.
Movie Highlight
1. Based on a True Soviet Love Story
Firebird is adapted from the memoir of Sergey Fetisov, a former Soviet Air Force conscript whose real-life forbidden romance during the Cold War inspired the film. The story is a rare, authentic account of queer love under Soviet repression.
2. Co-written and Led by Tom Prior
British actor Tom Prior not only plays Sergey but also co-wrote and co-produced the film after reading Fetisov’s unpublished memoir. Prior was deeply moved by the story and spent years bringing it to the screen with care and fidelity.
3. International Collaboration
Although the story is set in the USSR, Firebird is an Estonian-British co-production, directed by Estonian filmmaker Peeter Rebane. The film was shot in Estonia, using real Soviet military locations to maintain historical accuracy.
4. A Rare LGBTQ+ Period Romance Set in the Soviet Union
There are very few queer films set in Eastern Bloc history. Firebird stands out for its atmospheric Cold War tension, richly emotional storytelling, and subversive use of military masculinity to frame queer vulnerability.
5. Visual Symbolism & Ballet Motif
The title Firebird references Igor Stravinsky’s ballet, which appears multiple times in the film as a metaphor for passion, transformation, and tragedy. Director Peeter Rebane used bird imagery (especially doves and flying metaphors) to reflect the emotional journeys of the characters.
6. Dedicated in Memory of Sergey Fetisov
The film ends with a touching tribute: “In loving memory of Sergey Fetisov”. It invites the audience to “share this true story with those you love,” highlighting the filmmakers’ commitment to honoring his legacy.
Firebird Review
Review
Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Firebird draws inspiration from real-life events, giving its narrative an emotional gravity that’s hard to shake. While its structure may echo “Brokeback Mountain,” the film carves its own identity with unique cultural, political, and personal tensions rooted in Soviet history. The pacing is deliberate, with small gestures and quiet moments carrying enormous emotional weight.
Acting ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Tom Prior and Oleg Zagorodnii give stunning performances, with Prior’s Sergey filled with yearning and quiet defiance, and Zagorodnii portraying Roman as a man tormented by duty and desire. Their chemistry feels deeply authentic—charged, heartbreaking, and vulnerable.
Chemistry ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The love story is laced with tension and tenderness. Whether in silent glances or passionate reunions, the emotional depth between the leads is palpable. Every scene they share feels like a fragile rebellion against the oppressive world around them.
Production ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Visually, the film is rich with symbolic imagery—glistening lakes, cold barracks, dim red-lit darkrooms. The contrast between warm and cool tones mirrors the shifting emotional states of the characters. Costume, lighting, and sound design are all thoughtfully constructed to enhance the sense of longing and loss.
Ending ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Without spoiling too much, the ending is tragic but spiritually resonant. Roman finds peace in the sky—the only place where he ever felt free. Sergey’s final moments, watching a ballet and remembering Roman, are devastatingly beautiful.
Firebird Information
Where to Watch
Related Links
Explore More BL Content
🔙 Return to Trailer & Info Table
👉 Also explore: British Gay Movies