Firebird, a deeply affecting & iconic LGBTQ love story
- Rob Watson
- Jan 15
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 15
A common denominator for many people who are LGBTQ throughout the world, in differing cultures and under divergent political systems, has been the oppression of hiding our secret love. To quote Beauty and the Beast, “it is a tale as old as time.” It is a tale we have seen on screen before. It is a tale some of us have lived, and for others, it is a life they are currently living beneath.
One such true story wowed film festival audiences just a few years ago and is currently available on several streamers. And while its theme may be familiar, the raw passion, the glorious romance and its layered nuances are highly unique.
The film is called FIREBIRD.
Directed and co-scripted by Peeter Rebane it is based on the memoir by Sergey Fetisov. In my conversation on RATED LGBT RADIO with Peeter and his co-writer, and star of the film, Tom Prior, Peeter said the film has been described as a “CALL ME BY YOUR NAME set not against a sweet pastoral Tuscany backdrop, but against a repressive Soviet-occupied Estonia Cold War one.”
In the film, Sergey (Tom Prior), a young private about to exit his time in the Soviet Air Force. His closest friend is the secretary to the base commander Luisa (Diana Pozharskaya). Sergey and Luisa’s quasi romantic friendship is redirected when and incredibly dynamic maverick fighter pilot arrives on the base, and both Sergey and Luisa are overwhelmed by his magnetism. That fighter pilot is Roman, played by Oleg Zagorodnii.
Oleg is himself a revelation. His performance is intense, sensitive and deep. He literally beat out 2400 other actors for the role. And as impeccable as his English is in the film, he actually only speaks Russian in real life.
The performances by all three of the lead actors are nuanced, beautiful and completely authentic. They produce a magnificent chemistry that not only gives the audience full understanding of the love they exude for each other, but also a cathartic desire to be one of them.
The true lovers of the piece are Roman and Sergey however. Through a brilliant weave of discussions about photography and theater, the passion between the two builds until they share an impromptu and spontaneous kiss. As the unspoken feelings between them become evident, the most important relationship in the film emerges.
The oppressions of the KGB and the society they live in creates a “virtual character” that stands up as a nemesis against the love the men have discovered and want to nurture. While that oppression is brilliantly portrayed in a three dimensional way by Margus Prangel as the intrusive Major Zverev, the true villain is Fear itself. Tom described that element of the film,
“Fear was its own character in the, in the film. You see it in small moments : the characters walk past a corridor at one point and see people secretly recording their neighbors. You just see the image of a recording equipment and people listening. The Soviet Union wasn't free, you're kind of being policed and literally its in the walls, they have ears and you've got to be very mindful about how you speak. Its the kind of level of fear becomes not something you can necessarily see but more something you can feel.”
When the relationship is almost exposed, Roman finds himself driven to marry Luisa and denies Sergey. Over the next years, the relationships overlap, collide and ultimately lead to an ill fated end.
The magic of Firebird is not in its passionate and sadly beautiful plotline however. It is in the intense performance of its three principals. Each character projects their story, their conflict, and their love in subtle but profound ways – the looks in their eyes, the touch of their hands, and the intensity of their kisses.
FIREBIRD has the makings of a screen classic. Its stars have a presence, and their characters walk with you after the film is done. They are easily comparable to star-crossed lovers of Casablanca, Brokeback Mountain, or any of the Star is Born.
The fact that this is a true story, and that Sergey Fetisov lived it, was what impacted Peeter from the beginning.
As they were working on the script, Peeter and Tom actually got to spend time with Sergey to flesh out their screenplay ideas. Peeter told me, “It was very humbling, he was such a loving person, considering what he has gone through in life, to remain so positive and so compassionate and really so full of life and love towards other people. His main message to us was: please make this film about love of politics, even though it is highly has a highly important social impact mission.”
Tom, who played Sergey in the film, was also deeply moved. “I saw that his love for Roman opened the world for him. He proceeded to live in hope, and stay true to himself, and that's really what I took from meeting the real man and it was the honor to get to know him.”
In the film, “Firebird” is a glorious ballet that Roman takes Sergey to before the passions erupt between them. It is a colorful, exciting fabulous display of a red enchanted bird with a magical feather. The bird represents rebirth and defeats a horrible nightmarish demon.
Sadly, the real Sergey did not get to see his life brought to the screen by Peeter and Tom. He died before they had even finished the final script. They felt compelled to travel to Russia to mourn him: they went to his wake and his funeral and fully absorbed his essence.
What has emerged is a film that transcends all of its elements. It is a film with a gorgeous and talented cast. It is a film with tension and intrigue. It is a film of the deepest of love stories. It is a film of poetic subtexts and literary allusions. It is a film with an important glimpse into a unique window of history.
Yet it is more than all of that. It is a film of rebirth, finding hope and truth as we emerge from life’s cruel ironies.
Sergey Fetisov did not live to see his love story delivered to the hearts of a soon-to-be adoring public. But like the Firebird, Peeter Rebane and Tom Prior have brought his soul and his love back to life. It is flaming forth on the screens of OutFest this weekend, on its way to move the whole world.
Bathe in it. Soak it up. Sergey would have wanted it that way.
Editor's Note:
The stage adaptation of "Firebird" is currently opening at the King's Head Theatre in London, UK with its first performance on January 9, 2025 and will run at the King's Head Theatre from January 9 to February 9, 2025.
